The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to ensure all intern teachers are enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The union argues that they deserve the same medical cover as their permanently employed counterparts.
Speaking in Bomet Town, KUPPET Bomet Branch Executive Secretary Paul Kimetto termed the exclusion of intern teachers from the health scheme as discriminatory and unfair.
"Intern teachers are employees of the Teachers Service Commission just like those on permanent and pensionable terms. Locking them out of the Social Health Authority cover is a clear case of discrimination and must be addressed immediately," said Kimetto.
He said extending comprehensive health insurance to intern teachers would not only safeguard their health but also improve their morale and productivity.
"Access to quality healthcare is a basic right. Providing SHA cover to intern teachers will boost their welfare, motivate them and enable them to serve learners effectively," he added.
Kimetto warned that the union would not hesitate to mobilize teachers for industrial action if the issue is not resolved urgently.
"We are giving the commission time to act, but if nothing is done, we will have no option but to take industrial action. The health of teachers and their families must be treated as a priority," he said.
Besides demanding the inclusion of intern teachers, KUPPET raised concerns over the implementation of the SHA programme, saying teachers continue to face challenges in accessing healthcare.
The union cited frequent system failures, restrictions on outpatient services and delayed treatment at some hospitals as major setbacks.
"Teachers are being forced to pay from their own pockets because outpatient services are capped at levels that do not meet the actual cost of treatment. This defeats the purpose of having health insurance," Kimetto said.
He also faulted cases where teachers have reportedly been turned away by private and faith-based hospitals due to accreditation disputes and delayed reimbursement of SHA claims.
"It is unacceptable for teachers to be denied treatment or detained because hospitals have not been paid. Such challenges undermine confidence in the health scheme," he noted.
Kimetto further argued that the current arrangement offers fewer benefits than the previous medical cover, particularly for teachers requiring specialized treatment and care for chronic illnesses.
KUPPET has urged the government, the Teachers Service Commission and the Social Health Authority to address the concerns urgently to ensure teachers receive uninterrupted and quality healthcare while carrying out their duties.
By Kimutai Langat
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