The government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare services for over 413,000 teachers, even as discontent grows among educators following their transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, says the State is working to strengthen benefits and accountability under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), which now anchors teachers’ healthcare.
Teachers raise concerns after shift from MINET to SHA
The transition from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) MINET medical scheme to SHA has already taken effect, but it has been met with widespread dissatisfaction among teachers across the country.
Many teachers have complained about reduced service access, delays in approvals, and confusion over benefit coverage under SHA, which replaced the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The migration followed a March 10, 2026 communiqué outlining the shift to SHA as the central public health financing system. However, the rollout has exposed gaps that have left some teachers struggling to access services they previously enjoyed under MINET.
Despite these concerns, Dr Oluga maintains that the new system will deliver better long-term outcomes.
Government promises improved benefits and oversight
Speaking during a stakeholder consultation forum, the PS said the government is reviewing benefit packages under POMSF to better align with the healthcare needs of teachers and their families.
He added that stricter oversight measures are being introduced to ensure hospitals offering services under SHA meet required standards.
“The focus now is to enhance accountability and ensure that facilities deliver quality healthcare to our teachers,” said Dr Oluga.
The government also says the shift to SHA is intended to streamline healthcare financing and eliminate inefficiencies that existed under previous schemes.
Thousands already using the new scheme
According to official data, over 249,000 teachers and their dependents have already accessed treatment under the new arrangement, highlighting the scale of the programme despite the ongoing challenges.
The government views this as an indication that the system is operational, even as it works to address teething problems raised by users.
Pressure mounts as unions monitor rollout
Teachers’ unions and stakeholders are now closely monitoring the implementation of SHA, with calls for urgent intervention to address service delivery issues.
For many educators, the transition has raised concerns about increased out-of-pocket expenses and limited access to specialised care—issues that were less prevalent under the previous MINET cover.
What teachers need to do now
The government is urging all TSC-registered teachers to update their SHA registration details to avoid disruptions in accessing healthcare services.
At the same time, authorities have pledged continuous engagement with stakeholders to refine the scheme and restore confidence among teachers.
As pressure mounts, the success of SHA in the education sector will largely depend on how quickly the government resolves the current challenges and delivers on its promise of improved, accessible healthcare.
