Speaking in a public forum, Duale said that the current system offers teachers more access, more options, and better protection compared to the past.
“Teachers today are the happiest,” Duale said. He explained that when teachers were under private medical insurance schemes, they faced severe limitations.
They could only access about 800 healthcare facilities, and treatment in specialized hospitals was restricted to just one Level 6 hospital in the country.
This meant that many teachers had to travel long distances and sometimes pay out of pocket for essential medical services.
Duale said the current reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA) have completely transformed the system.
Today, teachers can access more than 9,000 healthcare facilities across the country. These include public hospitals, private hospitals, and faith-based health institutions.
“Now, teachers can get care almost anywhere, and they have options that were not available before,” he said.
He added that the coverage is not only about local access but also about specialized treatment abroad.
According to Duale, teachers now have medical cover of KSh 2.7 million for treatment outside Kenya.
This ensures that those needing advanced medical care can get it without worrying about the cost. “Today, teachers have got 2.7 million medical cover for foreign treatment. This is a huge improvement,” he said.
The Health CS said these changes are part of the government’s commitment to improving public servants’ welfare and ensuring that those responsible for educating the nation are well cared for.
He emphasized that teachers play a critical role in the development of Kenya, and providing them with comprehensive healthcare is a way of recognizing their contribution.
Duale noted that digitization and the SHA system have made it easier to manage claims, track services, and prevent fraud.
The system ensures that teachers’ contributions are used efficiently, and it prevents misuse of funds that could have reduced access to care.