Ministry, SHA and KUPPET Strengthen Healthcare Access for Teachers
The Ministry of Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have agreed on measures to strengthen teachers’ access to specialised, timely and dignified healthcare.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale chaired a joint consultative meeting to review the implementation of the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund and address concerns raised by teachers.
KUPPET, led by Chairperson Omboko Milemba, and SHA, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi, discussed access to IVF and oncology services, management of chronic illnesses, monthly prescriptions for priority conditions, specialised treatment, last-expense services and other concerns affecting beneficiaries.
The Ministry, SHA, KUPPET and the Teachers Service Commission agreed to strengthen accountability through monthly implementation reports, prompt handling of reported incidents and action against healthcare facilities that fail to meet agreed service requirements.
The engagement builds on 84 monthly consultative meetings involving KUPPET, SHA and TSC county coordinators across the country. The forums support the timely identification and resolution of challenges affecting teachers at the county level.
SHA currently has 7,031 contracted healthcare facilities, including 122 haemato-oncology facilities. The Authority is also strengthening capacity in highly specialised services such as bone marrow transplantation to expand access to treatment within Kenya.
The Government is also pursuing partnerships to address specialised healthcare needs. These include collaboration with Morocco through the Princess Lalla Asmaa Foundation to strengthen paediatric hearing care and expand access to cochlear implant surgery for children.
A simplified benefits guide is being developed to help beneficiaries understand the services available under their medical cover. Regional and committee-level engagements will also be held every three months to review implementation, address emerging concerns and monitor improvements in healthcare access for teachers.
Also present were Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori and senior officials from the Ministry of Health and KUPPET.