Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) are set to enjoy a comprehensive medical cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA) after signing a new agreement between the union, the Ministry of Health, and the Social Health Authority.
The agreement, signed on Thursday evening, aims to address issues that arose during the shift from the Mwalimu Cover to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund, which made it difficult for many teachers to get quality healthcare services.
The agreement establishes a coordinated framework to enhance efficiency, accountability and uninterrupted access to care for teachers nationwide, under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
Soon KUPPET members will enjoy access to specialized and life-saving medical treatment including therapies in several top-notch hospitals abroad.
This new change is expected to relieve the teachers who had been paying for their medical services from their pockets because of the tariff-related problems.
Addressing the matter, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale ordered the immediate removal of tariffs that had exposed teachers to direct medical expenses respectively stating the step was key to re-establishing trust in the healthcare system for public servants.
“To improve efficiency, we resolved to withdraw the tariff locking mechanism. During the transition period, facilities are prohibited from charging any out-of-pocket fees or co-payments, in line with contractual obligations.” said Duale
They also brought the ex-gratia medical management framework into the agreement, thus giving doctors more time to help the patients. Also, female teachers have been guaranteed access to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) fully covered under the scheme through contracted providers.