Teachers in Kisumu County are facing a healthcare crisis as medical facilities are turning them away because they have not paid their medical bills. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has sounded the alarm, blaming the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for not remitting the deducted medical contributions to the health insurance providers.
Why are Teachers being denied medical services?
KUPPET’s Executive Secretary, Zablon Awange has faulted TSC saying:
- Teachers’ medical insurance funds are deducted but not remitted leaving them exposed.
- Many teachers are being denied treatment or referred back and forth between hospitals.
- The non-functional Social Health Authority and Social Health Insurance Funds have worsened the situation.
- At least five teachers die monthlydue to treatable ailments because of lack of medical access.
- Teachers are now forced to seek services at substandard facilities or pay out-of-pocket.
Teachers Unions issue warnings
KUPPET and Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have demanded for government intervention.
- KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba and KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu have warned of a looming education crisis if the issue is not addressed.
- They have called on National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to act fast, saying sick teachers cannot teach.
- TSC Chief Dr. Nancy Macharia has defended the commission saying they have not received funds from National Treasury to pay the insurance provider.
What medical services do teachers lose?
Teachers and their families are entitled to:
✔ Outpatient & inpatient care
✔ Maternity services
✔ Dental & optical care
✔ Psychiatric & counseling services
✔ Emergency air and road evacuation
✔ Funeral benefits
✔ International referrals
✔ Travel allowances More than 800 hospitals (public, private and faith based)