Duale Hits Back at Teachers, Says 249,000 Have Already Used SHA

Duale Hits Back at Teachers, Says 249,000 Have Already Used SHA

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has pushed back strongly against teachers’ unions threatening nationwide protests over the new government health scheme, insisting that the system is already serving hundreds of thousands of educators across the country.

In a press statement released on March 5, Duale dismissed claims that the Social Health Authority system is failing teachers, saying official ministry data shows that large numbers of teachers and their dependents are already receiving medical care through the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) under the Social Health Authority framework.

Teachers’ unions, led by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have threatened to stage nationwide protests within the coming week, arguing that teachers are facing serious challenges accessing healthcare under the new system. However, the Ministry of Health has maintained that services remain fully operational across the country for teachers and their dependents.

Responding to the criticism, Duale insisted that the government’s records contradict the claims being made by union leaders. According to the Health Ministry, thousands of teachers have successfully accessed treatment in hospitals and clinics nationwide since the transition to the new scheme began.

“To set the record straight and dispel any narrative suggesting that teachers are being turned away or denied care, the data speaks for itself. As of our latest performance review, over 249,000 teachers and their dependents have successfully been seen and treated across the country,” Duale stated.

The ministry further revealed that medical claims from teachers treated under the scheme have already surpassed KSh3.5 billion. These services have been delivered through a network of 2,823 health facilities contracted under the SHA system across the country.

Data released by the ministry shows that Nairobi County recorded the highest number of hospital visits by teachers. More than 30,000 claims were filed in the county, amounting to approximately KSh527.7 million in medical expenses.

Uasin Gishu County followed closely behind with over 29,000 claims valued at roughly KSh463.2 million, highlighting what the ministry describes as growing reliance on the government-backed medical scheme.

Other counties that have recorded significant usage of the programme include Meru County and Bungoma County, which together registered more than 63,000 claims. Additional high usage was also reported in Kisii County, Kisumu County, Nakuru County, Kiambu County, Trans Nzoia County and Kericho County.

Despite the government’s reassurances, teachers’ unions maintain that the system has serious operational challenges that continue to affect healthcare access.

In a separate statement released on the same day, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori argued that the difficulties being experienced by teachers stem largely from the suspension of services by private hospitals associated with the Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA).

According to Misori, several private facilities have stopped offering services to teachers and police officers due to unpaid government claims reportedly exceeding KSh30 billion over the past ten months.

“The crisis facing teachers is directly linked to suspended medical services in private hospitals due to huge unpaid government claims,” Misori said, adding that the situation has forced some educators to pay for treatment out of pocket despite deductions made from their salaries.

Union officials have also raised concerns about frequent system breakdowns, delays in pre-authorisation processes and a limited number of hospitals accepting the SHA scheme. Some teachers in Nairobi have reported that certain hospitals are withdrawing from the programme, citing frustrations with claims processing and administrative procedures.

Despite the growing concerns, Duale urged teachers to continue seeking treatment in health facilities contracted under the SHA programme.

“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the health and dignity of the Kenyan teacher,” he said, assuring educators that the ministry is working to ensure the system operates smoothly across the country.

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Duale Hits Back at Teachers, Says 249,000 Have Already Used SHA