Teachers issue seven-day strike notice over 'failed' SHA medical cover

The union cites frequent system breakdowns, a limited number of hospitals accepting the scheme, and what it calls inadequate funding allocations, particularly for accident and emergency services.

KUPPET also says several teachers have been denied treatment, while others have reportedly been detained in hospitals over unpaid medical bills.

Teachers have issued a seven-day strike notice to compel their employer, the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, to save their members from the pain.

One of the victims of an accident that struck teachers outside City Primary in Ngara, Nairobi in January this year is stranded at Aga Khan Hospital a week after he was discharged due to a huge bill.

After undergoing three surgeries, the family was handed a medical bill of Ksh.3.9 million. They were informed that the Social Health Authority would cover only Ksh.1 million, forcing the family and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers to organise fundraising efforts to raise the remaining amount.

"Mzee wangu alikaa HDU for more than two weeks, Mungu alikuwa ameumia lungs na kifua," said Joska Kwamboka, Alex’s wife.

"We have teachers who have been held, especially those who have passed on. When a teacher has only stayed for three days and SHA says the cover has lapsed, a teacher from Busia, the body is detained at Nairobi West," said Akello Misori, Secretary General, KUPPET.

"Hospitali nyingi saa hizi zinakataa kuadmit walimu, wanasema SHA haitawalipa, na hii inatendeka Bungoma, Coast, Western," said Omboko Milemba, National Chair, KUPPET.

According to KUPPET officials, a limited number of hospitals are accepting the scheme, making it difficult for many teachers to access healthcare, especially those in remote areas.

"SHA yenyewe pia inapromote hospitali kuchukua pesa kwa walimu, hospitali zinafanya kazi ni chache na malipo yake hayadhibiti medical cover and we will not allow," said Omboko Milemba, National Chair, KUPPET.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers is now calling for immediate action from the management of the Social Health Authority, warning that failure to address the concerns could push the union to lead teachers in exiting the medical cover.

In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has disputed claims of the alleged crisis, saying over 249,000 teachers and their dependents have accessed services through SHA, translating to Ksh.3.5 billion in claims. Duale says isolated teething hitches are being resolved to ensure zero disruption to service delivery.