New year medical gift for teachers

Kenyan teachers are set to enjoy an improved medical scheme that will include outpatient services for second wives.

The multi-billion scheme, signed between Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), will give teachers access to government hospitals, mission hospitals, referrals and private hospitals.

The scheme offers health cover for employees, their spouse and children as well as teachers in retirement.

The new medical scheme, worth Sh4.2 billion, in an upgrade of the existing scheme in which NHIF has been providing in-patient services only.

Among the services outlined in the new scheme include outpatient consultation, laboratory services, dental care, radiology (x-ray), optical and physiotherapy.

Teachers with children in institutions of higher learning who are 18 years to 23 will also benefit from the scheme, while children with disabilities who are over 18 benefit from the scheme indefinitely.

Female teachers will have access to pre and post-natal care, delivery (both normal and caesarean) and family planning methods like tubal ligation. Pre-natal care will cover them for six months.

For male teachers, they will be able to get circumcised and have vasectomy as part of family planning.

In-patient services, which they have been getting, will include payment for accommodation when admitted in hospital, theatre and professional consultation.

Addressing the press on Tuesday at Afya House, where Medical Services Minister Anyang Nyongo witnessed the signing, Knut Chairman Wilson Sossion said they objected an earlier proposed scheme because it was to be run by private entities.

He said they were keen on NHIF because it is a "homegrown" insurance institution in which they hold a 40 per cent stake.

“NHIF has served us since 1966 when it was born and we have opened the avenue to other unions, the informal sector and ordinary Kenyans who cannot afford healthcare,” Mr Sossion said.

The union’s secretary general David Okuta concurred.

“Knut has never thought of running away from NHIF and we were wondering why some people (bodies) were forcing issues into our throats,” Mr Okuta said.

Prof Nyongo said that with the new agreement, his Ministry would strive to ensure that services in public hospitals improve to service the increased number.

He said his ministry would also strengthen the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technician and Technologist Board so that the right diagnosis can be achieved for patients in the health facilities.