A fresh wave of anxiety has swept across the education sector following revelations that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is preparing to migrate teachers from the long-standing Minet insurance cover to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme. With just weeks left before the Minet contract expires, questions linger about how the new system will impact teachers’ access to healthcare.
The SHA medical scheme, a government-led initiative replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), promises universal health coverage for all public servants. However, teachers’ unions — including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) — have warned that the transition could leave educators exposed to reduced benefits and slower service delivery.
Union officials argue that the TSC’s decision was made without adequate consultation, violating established negotiation protocols. “Teachers deserve clarity on how their medical services will be managed. We cannot gamble with their health,” said KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori.
Private hospitals have also voiced their fears, citing delayed payments and uncertainty about SHA’s credit systems. Some facilities have already threatened to suspend services under the new scheme, potentially leaving teachers stranded.
The TSC insists the migration is part of the government’s universal healthcare agenda, aimed at consolidating public resources and improving efficiency. But critics believe the abrupt move, without proper transition measures, could mirror previous healthcare policy mishaps.
As the deadline nears, thousands of teachers are anxiously awaiting formal communication on their medical coverage. With no clear framework on premiums, dependents, or hospital networks, the uncertainty surrounding SHA could become a full-blown crisis if left unresolved.
