Police get generous medical cover

President Kenyatta inspects a guard of honour at a pass-out parade of police recruits at Kiganjo Police College in Nyeri on April 4, 2014. A salary structure that introduces grades for junior and senior police officers has been developed by the service. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | FILE

What you need to know:

  • A constable, the lowest ranked officer, has access to Sh8 million for hospital bills in the event he/she is admitted and up to Sh40,000 for out-patient treatment.
  • “Members of the medical scheme are free to access any medical outlet as per the attached list whenever they and their dependants are in need of medical services.”

Police officers are now covered by a new medical insurance that ranges from Sh8 million for juniors up to Sh200 million for top commanders.

The scheme, which comes into effect this month, covers all officers in the 80,000-strong service, their wives and children.

A constable, the lowest ranked officer, has access to Sh8 million for hospital bills in the event he/she is admitted and up to Sh40,000 for out-patient treatment.

Constables form the bulk of officers in the National Police Service.

The scheme comprises three categories.

The Blue Classic cover caters for constables, corporals, sergeants, senior sergeants and inspectors.

The Blue Plus cover is tailored for chief inspectors, superintendents and senior superintendents who will access up to Sh80 million for in-patient treatment and Sh100,000 for out-patient care per person.

The Blue Lite scheme covers officers of assistant commissioner rank and above who will have access to Sh200 million for in-patient and Sh150,000 per person for out-patient treatment.

A document seen by the Nation on the new scheme reads: “Members of the medical scheme are free to access any medical outlet as per the attached list whenever they and their dependants are in need of medical services.”

The insurance also covers dental and optical services.

OPENED THEIR DOORS

Heritage Insurance Company, which was awarded the tender for the cover, has entered into contracts with hospitals, clinics and medical specialists across the country to offer services to the officers.

According to the list of health facilities on offer, top private hospitals that would ordinarily be out of reach for officers have now opened their doors.

National Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi said the policy would be administered by the Inspector-General of Police.

The arrangement also includes personal accident and life insurance cover introduced in October last year, replacing the Sh5,000 risk allowance paid every month.

Previously, officers were paid monthly medical allowances and were further insured under the general personal accident cover, which includes all civil servants.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich allocated Sh1.6 billion for health in this year’s Budget.

The insurance scheme is long overdue because the National Taskforce on Police Reforms chaired by Mr Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley in 2009 envisioned it would be rolled out in 2010.