KNUT Calls For Additional Funding On Teachers’ Medical Insurance Scheme
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has requested additional funding from the National Treasury to fund teachers’ medical insurance programs.
The coverage for Minet was terminated on October 31, but TSC was granted a two-month extension to get a new insurer by January.
“A tender for the new contract has already been done and it’s yet to be awarded. Tendering was to be determined by the budget ceiling of Sh15 billion, which the National Treasury has,” said Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu.
“Several medical insurance firms had expressed interest, including the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), but the budgetary ceiling was below what NHIF expected. It’s our prayer that the Treasury appropriates more funds,” said Oyuu.
Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to protest against the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) over what officials have called poor management of the health service provider (AON Minet) hired by the organization to give teachers medical coverage.
Paul Kimeto, executive secretary of the Bomet chapter of KUPPET, reported that teachers were dissatisfied with the service provider AON’s treatment of medication-related difficulties.
“We as teachers were not involved when the teachers’ service commission contracted the Aon on behalf of teachers.
“Teachers are forced to dig into their pockets in various hospitals, yet the commission had taken a lot of teachers’ money,” claimed the branch executive.
During an examination preparation meeting at Tenwek high school, Kimeto stated that many teachers had been denied services because the supplier claimed their activation system was inoperable.
Kimeto argued that if the TSC were unable to handle the issue immediately, local teachers would hold a nonviolent protest to force the teacher’s employer to re-examine the situation.
“TSC should address this issue and involve teachers fully in decisions affecting them, while those who used their funds should be refunded,” stated Kimeto.
The executive secretary also requested that the TSC send the money, if feasible, to the hospital, rather than contracting with with the service provider so that teachers who visit health facilities receive immediate care.
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