NAIROBI– Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday held a bilateral meeting with the leadership of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) to discuss measures aimed at improving the health and welfare of teachers under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The KNUT delegation was led by Chairperson Patrick Munuhe. The discussions focused on ensuring a smooth transition of teachers to the new health financing framework while strengthening service delivery under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
The engagement follows earlier consultations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), as the Government continues to streamline the transition of 413,577 teachers to the new healthcare system.
During the meeting, CS Duale outlined key actions from the joint communiqué signed on March 10, 2026.
The measures are designed to improve system efficiency, enhance service delivery, and ensure teachers can access quality healthcare services under the revised framework.
Hosted a delegation from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) led by Chairperson Patrick Munuhe for a strategic engagement on the health and welfare of teachers, marking an important step in strengthening collaboration within the country's healthcare system.
The meeting… pic.twitter.com/VhkCm4RXsM
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) March 12, 2026
Among the resolutions reached was the rollout of a continuous member education programme through the teachers’ national network. The programme will be supported by a 24-hour toll-free helpline (0800 720 601) and a dedicated short code (147) to assist teachers seeking information and support.
The initiative will guide teachers on updating their portal information, understanding the enhanced POMSF benefits, and using the appropriate channels when seeking medical assistance, particularly during emergencies.
The meeting also agreed to introduce quarterly tripartite utilisation assessments aimed at reviewing healthcare data, monitoring service performance, and strengthening quality assurance across healthcare providers serving teachers.
To enhance transparency and accountability, the Health Cabinet Secretary highlighted the introduction of a digital incident reporting mechanism. The system will help address cases of fraud, double billing, and unauthorised charges outside SHA coverage.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, Social Health Authority CEO Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara, KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu, and TSC representative Chrisantus Odhiambo, among other officials.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with teachers’ unions and relevant stakeholders to ensure that teachers receive reliable, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services under the new national health financing framework.
