KUPPET Raises Alarm Over SHA Medical Cover After Injured Teachers Allegedly Denied Treatment

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised serious concerns over the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover, calling on the government to urgently address gaps in the system to ensure teachers can access healthcare services without delays.

The union’s concerns follow reports that several teachers were allegedly denied treatment after being involved in a road accident. 

According to KUPPET, the educators were hit by a public service vehicle and rushed to hospital, but experienced difficulties accessing medical care due to complications linked to their SHA registration status.

KUPPET said the incident exposes major weaknesses in the new health insurance framework, particularly for public servants who are expected to have automatic medical cover. 

Union officials stressed that emergency medical treatment should never be delayed due to administrative or technical challenges, especially in life-threatening situations.

The union further noted that many teachers are still transitioning to the SHA system, with some facing issues such as incomplete registration, outdated personal records, or verification errors. Denying medical attention over such challenges, KUPPET warned, puts educators at unnecessary risk.

KUPPET is now calling for automatic and universal SHA enrollment for all teachers, regardless of individual paperwork or system status. 

The union also urged the government to closely coordinate with health facilities to guarantee uninterrupted medical services for all employees on the public payroll.

The teachers’ union cautioned that failure to urgently resolve the identified issues could undermine public confidence in the new health scheme. It reiterated that hospitals should always prioritize treatment first and resolve documentation matters later.

The incident has reignited debate over whether the SHA system is fully prepared to replace previous health insurance arrangements for public servants. KUPPET maintained that the health and welfare of teachers must remain a national priority.