The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to withdraw from the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme over persistent delays and inefficiencies in accessing healthcare services.
Teachers have raised concerns that the new system, introduced to replace NHIF, is slow, confusing, and unreliable, with many struggling to access treatment or being forced to pay out-of-pocket for services that were previously covered.
KUPPET officials say the challenges have sparked growing dissatisfaction among teachers, with some union branches considering industrial action. The union argues that the transition to SHA has not delivered the promised improvements in service delivery.
Teachers report delayed approvals, system failures, and lack of clarity in accessing benefits. In some cases, patients are reportedly turned away from hospitals or asked to top up costs despite being registered under the scheme.
The union has also criticized the restructuring of benefits, claiming that outpatient, inpatient, and emergency services lack clear coordination, further complicating access to care.
KUPPET now warns that unless the issues are urgently addressed, it may exit the SHA scheme, signaling a major setback for the government’s healthcare reform agenda.
