Leaders from teachers’ unions in Nandi County, including KUPPET, JSS, and KNUT, have urged the government to reinstate the previous health insurance scheme, citing numerous challenges with the current cover.

Speaking in Nandi County, the union officials expressed dissatisfaction with the existing Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, noting that it has proven unreliable and inadequate when teachers seek medical services. They emphasized that the previous AON Minet medical cover was more efficient and responsive to teachers’ needs.

“We strongly prefer the previous AON Minet cover over the current SHA scheme, which has shown serious gaps in service delivery. Teachers are struggling to access quality healthcare under the new system,” one of the leaders stated.

The officials highlighted a recent case involving a teacher who was involved in a road accident. Despite receiving treatment from a facility in Eldoret City, the teacher was billed KSh3.5 million, of which the insurance only covered KSh1.5 million. For the remaining KSh 2 million, which is yet to be cleared, the family had to surrender a title deed as collateral for him to be discharged.

“This situation is unacceptable. A comprehensive health insurance scheme should fully cover treatment costs to shield teachers from such financial distress,” another leader added.

In addition to health insurance concerns, the union leaders also raised issues regarding maternity leave benefits. They criticized disparities in payments, noting that female teachers nearing retirement tend to receive higher maternity benefits compared to their younger counterparts. The leaders called for fairness and uniformity in the allocation of such benefits.

They urged the government to urgently review both the health insurance framework and related welfare policies affecting teachers. According to the leaders, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and fair compensation is essential in improving the welfare and morale of teachers across the country.

The leaders concluded by reaffirming their commitment to advocating for teachers’ rights, urging authorities to engage stakeholders in developing a more reliable and inclusive system that addresses the current shortcomings.