SHA refutes TSC claims on locking out 360,000 teachers

The Social Health Authority(SHA) headquarters in Nairobi.

In response to reports suggesting SHA's inability to enrol TSC's 360,000 teachers, the authority clarified that educators can access all benefits under its cover, provided they are registered and contribute monthly premiums.​

According to SHA, teachers are eligible for the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund (ECCIF).​

SHA emphasised that Kenyans and employers covered under its benefits are not barred from enrolling in complementary insurance schemes for enhanced packages.​

"Employers such as the Teachers Service Commission can provide complementary insurance for their employees for additional benefits through a valid insurance underwriter," SHA stated in a statement on April 26.

SHA further noted that TSC can enrol its members in the Public Officers' Medical Scheme Fund, determining complementary benefits based on its budget.​

Addressing claims that SHA lacked infrastructure nationwide to enrol TSC employees, SHA highlighted that it has contracted 8,000 facilities nationwide.​

During an appearance before the National Assembly Education Committee on March 25, TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia alleged that SHA had declined to enroll teachers due to a lack of nationwide infrastructure.​

Macharia explained that efforts to onboard teachers into SHA failed after being informed that the insurer lacked sufficient structures across the country to cater to the teachers.​

"Last year, when we had issues, we wanted to move our teachers to SHA. We have always wanted to have our teachers under the national insurer, even during the NHIF days," she said.​