Education

KUPPET issues seven-day strike notice over health insurance failures

A file picture of Akello Misori, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, June 30, 2024

KUPPET's Embu County officials have cited significant challenges with teachers’ health insurance coverage, saying it has prevented most of them from receiving necessary treatment.

Teachers have given the government a seven-day ultimatum to address a deteriorating health system that they say has left them struggling to access medical care.

Embu County officials of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have cited significant challenges with teachers’ health insurance coverage, saying it has prevented most of them from receiving necessary treatment.

Some of the issues raised include delays in hospital admissions, discrimination at certain facilities, referral complications, and financial hurdles in securing orthopaedic implants for accident victims.

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In a press briefing on Sunday, Eric Kimwere, in charge of health at KUPPET's Embu branch, said the issues were so dire that some teachers were fundraising.

“Teachers have resorted to harambees, which should not be acceptable because they have a comprehensive health insurance cover. We in KUPPET have no option. We have now said 'enough is enough' and will call on our members to take to the streets to make it clear that we are not ready to continue with this monkey business," Kimwere said.

The union further expressed frustration about poor hospital services yet the money is deducted from their pay every month, adding that records did not reflect their contributions.

Executive Secretary Jacob Karura urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to settle overdue hospital bills, noting that for the past nine months, health facilities had not received government disbursements.

"We are pleading with the TSC to pay that money. The government should immediately procure drugs so teachers can be treated," Karura said.

The union further noted that their efforts to reach relevant authorities through letters had been futile.

"We are being told that the employer has not paid hospitals. That is not our concern. All we want is treatment because we have been deducted for that,” he said.

KUPPET warned that if their grievances were not addressed within seven days, they would march to insurance company head offices to demand their rights.

In response to speculation that the Finance Bill 2024 would affect teacher employment, KUPPET urged the government to prioritise their welfare and employ them on permanent and pensionable terms.