KUPPET warns SHA exit over teacher welfare neglect

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has delivered a stern warning to the Social Health Authority (SHA), indicating it may pull out its educators from the national health insurance program due to what it describes as persistent disregard for teachers’ wellbeing. During a media conference in Kisumu, KUPPET representatives, headed by Secretary General Akelo Misori, conveyed their discontent with how educators are managed under the initiative. The leadership criticized SHA for not responding sufficiently to ongoing issues raised by teaching professionals, despite multiple dialogues with the Ministry of Health and other governmental departments. Misori highlighted that educators nationwide continue to encounter difficulties in obtaining quality healthcare services through the SHA platform. These encompass postponements in service provision, restricted access to approved medical institutions, and uncertainty regarding benefit coverage. “We have approached the responsible authorities constructively, but it is now apparent that the needs of teachers are not receiving the priority they require. Our members are enduring hardships, and we cannot remain passive while their wellbeing deteriorated,” stated Misori. The union has now presented an ultimatum to both SHA and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), demanding immediate action to resolve the highlighted problems. KUP cautioned that failure to respond promptly would compel the organization to take substantial measures, including removing educators from the program. According to the union, the current circumstances have diminished trust among teachers, many of whom depend on the health insurance arrangement for critical medical attention. Officials contend that unless swift reforms are implemented, the program risks losing confidence from a significant portion of public employees. “We are offering the administration a brief timeframe to respond. If no substantial improvements are introduced, we will be compelled to discontinue participation in the SHA program and investigate substitute healthcare alternatives for our members,” Misori emphasized. The present impasse now compels both SHA and TSC to react quickly and resolve the complaints raised by the union. Educational observers caution that a potential withdrawal could impede healthcare access for thousands of educators and their families, further intensifying an already overburdened system. These developments occur as the administration advances the complete implementation of a new health insurance framework intended to accomplish universal health coverage. However, KUPPET’s position reveals expanding worries among government sector workers concerning the efficiency and dependability of the system.