The Social Health Authority (SHA) has clarified that teachers seeking IVF treatment under the Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover do not need to present a marriage certificate.
SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi explained that the marriage certificate requirement under the IVF treatment for teachers was a mistake.
SHA issued a clarification on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) requirements after a teacher raised concerns about the request to present a marriage certificate for approval of the procedure.
Speaking to the media, a high school teacher stated that the Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover offering IVF to teachers was a source of hope for her to conceive after battling with infertility for 8 years.
However, upon visiting the hospital, the teacher learned that there were conditions for the IVF procedure, including a marriage certificate.
“Someone like me who has been on this journey of wanting to conceive was filled with a lot of hope because I went to the hospital and learned there are conditions that had been put, and one of these conditions is that you have to show a marriage certificate,” said the teacher.
SHA on KUPPET IVF Requirements
According to the teacher, the doctor sought pre-authorization for the IVF treatment, but the request was declined.
In response to the hospital’s requirements for the IVF package, SHA requested that the patient deliver the required documents to SHA Head Office, eighth floor, office no. 811.
Among the documents were a marriage certificate or affidavit, which the teacher was to provide to SHA headquarters.
Further, the hospital was to attach online documents including a case note justifying admission and procedure, radiology and laboratory reports, and a certified medical report from a gynecologist or fertility specialist.
Also Read: TSC Proposes New Salary Rates and Job Grades for Teachers
KUPPET on Marriage Certificates
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) criticized the marriage certificate requirement, saying SHA was denying eligible teachers’ treatment.
KUPPET further stressed that access to IVF treatment should not depend on marriage certificates or marital status.
KUPPET National Gender Secretary Juliet Kimotho said the cover is for contributing teachers, not their spouses, and called for the requirement to be removed.
Additionally, the union’s Deputy Secretary General, Moses Nthurima, clarified that the marriage certificates were not part of the signed agreement on medical cover.
According to the KUPPET Deputy SG, the requirement has been placed for SHA to avoid covering the IVF treatment.
Following the concerns raised by the union, the SHA CEO, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, clarified that the marriage certificate was not part of the requirements.
“SHA wishes to clarify that a marriage certificate is not a requirement for accessing IVF services. The reference to a marriage certificate in the communication was made in error. The reference to a marriage certificate in the communication was made in error,” Mercy Mwangangi stated.
Mercy Mwangangi directed that the hospital resubmit the high school teacher’s IVF request, along with the appropriate verification and preauthorization, for review.
Also Read: Breakdown of All Services Covered by SHA and Payouts Reserved for Each
Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover IVF Requirements
- The teacher must be a principal member of TSC, registered under SHA-POMSF/Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover.
- Beneficiary under the / Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover.
- Documented diagnosis of clinical infertility.
- A documented clinical diagnosis.
- A written recommendation from a registered specialist.
- The female partner must be 41 years or below at the start of the treatment cycle.
- Maximum of two IVF attempts per beneficiary over their lifetime.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
