The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to down their tools after their medical cover to private hospitals was suspended.
While addressing members of the press, the union stated that the government has been deducting contributions from their salaries but failing to remit the payments.
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“The decision we are going to make is not limited to calling for industrial action. It could also include seeking legal redress because that is our right,” said Moses Nthurima, Deputy Secretary General of KUPPET.
KUPPET’s Deputy SG further accused the Social Health Authority (SHA) CEO of downplaying teachers’ medical cover.
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“What the SHA CEO is saying is unacceptable because teachers forfeited their medical allowance to receive quality healthcare services. However, public hospitals do not offer the quality services that teachers require. Teachers should be able to access hospitals that befit their status,” said Nthurima.
KUPPET Accuses Govt of not Remitting Payments to Private Hospitals
On his part, SHA CEO Robert Ingasira stated that due to the ongoing stalemate between SHA and the Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA), patients should seek treatment at public hospitals.
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“I have contracted more than 6,800 facilities. The facilities under RUPHA membership are just about 300. We still have over 8,000 facilities offering services. If any member is being turned away for one reason or another, as I said, we will invoke the necessary clauses in our contracts with them,” said the SHA CEO.
Also Read: Uncertainty for NHIF Employees as SHA Drops More Than Half of Them
KUPPET’s strike threat comes days after private hospitals suspended medical services for teachers and police officers under MAKL, citing unpaid claims that have remained unresolved for over 10 months.
It also coincides with an announcement by RUPHA Chairperson Dr. Brian Lishenga on Thursday, February 20.
RUPHA Suspends SHA Services
He stated that hospitals under RUPHA will suspend SHA services nationwide starting Monday, February 24, due to continued government inaction in addressing existing challenges.
Dr. Lishenga warned that issues surrounding the new healthcare system have been ignored, putting patients’ lives at risk.
Also Read: List of Questions SHA Asks Self-Employed Kenyans to Determine Monthly Contribution
At the same time, the RUPHA chairperson noted that the crisis threatens the survival of private health facilities due to inefficiencies in service provision.
It is reported that the government owes private hospitals Ksh 30 billion, leading to the suspension of SHA services.
However, the government has consistently disputed this claim, citing a lack of proof for the stated amount.
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