NAIROBI, Kenya — Teachers across the country are increasingly being forced to pay for medical services out of pocket as challenges persist under the Social Health Authority (SHA), raising fresh concerns over access to healthcare.
Reports indicate that some hospitals have begun demanding cash payments from teachers due to delays in reimbursements under the new health scheme, leaving many stranded or forced to seek alternative facilities.
The crisis has particularly affected educators who transitioned to the SHA system following the phase-out of the previous medical cover.
The situation stems largely from funding gaps and delayed payments to healthcare providers, with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) previously warning of a significant shortfall in financing the scheme.
A deficit of about Sh1.4 billion has been cited as a key factor threatening service continuity.
Education sector stakeholders say the delays have disrupted medical access for thousands of teachers and their dependents, with unions warning that the situation could escalate if urgent interventions are not made.
Some teachers have reportedly been turned away from hospitals or required to make upfront payments despite being insured.
The crisis follows the transition from the Minet insurance scheme to the government-backed SHA system, a move that was intended to streamline healthcare delivery and expand coverage.
However, operational and financial challenges have hampered implementation, raising questions about sustainability.
Lawmakers and education officials have expressed concern that continued underfunding could lead to a full-blown healthcare crisis in the sector, affecting more than 400,000 teachers and nearly one million dependents.
The funding gap has also sparked tensions between the government and teachers’ unions, with threats of industrial action emerging in recent weeks.
Stakeholders argue that delayed payments to hospitals undermine confidence in the scheme and place an unfair burden on teachers.
As pressure mounts, calls are growing for the government to urgently inject additional funds, clear pending claims, and stabilise the scheme to ensure uninterrupted medical services for teachers.
