The Senate is investigating AON Minet company over claims of humiliating teachers covered under its medical insurance scheme.
A statement sought by nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga highlights the difficulties teachers under the insurance provider’s scheme undergo while seeking medical treatment.
The senator wants the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), “ to rise up and give its employees hope”.
The cover cost TSC Sh9 billion last year, Sh12 billion this year and Sh14 billion for next year.
Those lined up for interrogation by the Senate Committee on Education, which is investigating the matter, include AON Minet management, the TSC, and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut).
Already, Knut Secretary-General and nominated MP Wilson Sossion has been summoned to appear before the Senate committee to shed light on the issues raised by Ms Nyamunga.
While raising the issue of teachers’ mistreatment in the Senate on September 30, Ms Nyamunga claimed there is very low capitation for outpatient services, with some teachers eligible for as low as Sh900, which is inclusive of doctors’ consultation, tests and drugs.
“The teachers of this country are a frustrated lot and they feel their lives are potentially endangered by the poor services being offered under AON Minet,” Ms Nyamunga said.
The senator noted there are serious concerns of substandard services offered by AON Minet.
Despite having to endure double deduction on their payslips — for the National Hospital Insurance Fund and AON MINET — there are no commensurate services, she said.
According to Ms Nyamunga, teachers are reporting that the services offered by AON Minet are not only poor in terms of quality, but also too restrictive to benefit them.
“There are restrictions on the hospitals they are allowed to visit for treatment, some of which are ill-equipped and lack qualified personnel,” the senator said.
A letter dated October 26 addressed to Mr Sossion by Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye asks him to respond to the issues raised in the statement, including claims that there are delays in approval, which can sometimes take up to one month, putting the life of a teacher or a dependant at risk