The Social Health Authority (SHA) has provided an update on the teachers' transition to the new Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover.
In a statement on Monday, December 1, SHA explained that joint monitoring teams from the authority and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) visited the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to assess how the rollout was progressing.
According to SHA, the initial assessment at KNH showed that teachers were successfully transitioning into the new scheme, with some already processed overnight and more joining the system early in the morning.
"The transition of teachers to the new SHA scheme commenced smoothly at midnight. As of this morning, a team from the TSC and SHA visited the Kenyatta National Hospital and has confirmed that KNH has supported 46 transitions overnight and an additional 15 this morning, bringing the total to 61," the authority said.
SHA also reported that teachers in various counties are already receiving inpatient and maternity services under the new cover.
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"Across the country, 249 teachers are currently receiving inpatient care, with a further 48 under maternity care. The process is progressing well, and we continue to monitor it closely to ensure seamless service delivery," the authority added.
The new Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover officially takes effect today, marking a major shift in how more than 400,000 teachers access healthcare services.
According to SHA, the principal members under the new scheme are registered teachers.
Their declared spouses are also included, while the cover extends to a maximum of five children from birth to age 21.
Children who continue with full-time studies can remain covered until the age of 25.
Children living with disabilities are equally eligible for the benefits, provided they are registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
Teachers can obtain services from over 8,000 contracted healthcare providers distributed across all 47 counties.
These include government hospitals, faith-based facilities and private institutions, ensuring that teachers can access care regardless of their location.
To access care, members will be required to present their National Identification Cards and authenticate their identity using biometric verification or a One-Time Password (OTP).
For beneficiaries to fully access the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover, they must be registered with SHA and be fully paid-up contributors to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Teachers wishing to add dependents can do so through multiple channels.
Registration and dependent updates can be completed by dialing *147#, or by visiting the official SHA portals at www.sha.go.ke or www.afyayangu.go.ke.
SHA has set up a 24-hour Customer Experience Centre dedicated to supporting teachers throughout the transition.
The centre can be reached through the toll-free hotline 0800 720 601.
Beneficiaries seeking clarification can also send their inquiries via email to [email protected] for assistance on access, registration or benefit-related issues.
Under the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover, teachers will have access to inpatient and outpatient treatment, maternity care, dental services and optical care.
The package further provides chronic illness management, road and air evacuation, last expense support and overseas treatment options where necessary.
