In a joint communiqué released Tuesday, the three institutions said they had reached binding resolutions to restore seamless healthcare services for teachers following weeks of disruptions linked to the transition from Mwalimu Cover.
The agreement confirms the resolution of key benefit administration issues that had triggered widespread concern among teachers across the country.
Authorities say implementation has already begun, signaling a shift from policy promises to actual service delivery.
A notable development is the processing of last expense claims, with 160 cases already finalized. Payments of KSh300,000 to beneficiaries will begin Wednesday, offering relief to families that had faced delays during the transition period.
The parties also unveiled a fully operational ex-gratia framework to support teachers facing medical costs beyond standard limits. Under the arrangement, the Teachers Service Commission will process requests while the Social Health Authority handles disbursements.
Access to overseas treatment has also been unlocked, with specialized hospitals in India, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia contracted.
Officials confirmed that the first patient is set to travel abroad, marking the rollout of the long-awaited referral system.
In addition, the scheme will now cover IVF services, with designated facilities already identified in Nairobi.
This move expands reproductive health support, an area that had previously received limited attention within public medical schemes.
To address system inefficiencies, SHA has scrapped tariff locking, a controversial mechanism blamed for service denial.
Health facilities have been warned against charging teachers any co-payments during the interim period.
A four-week nationwide negotiation targeting over 3,500 health facilities has been launched to harmonize tariffs.
The process is expected to conclude by the end of May, setting the stage for standardized service delivery.
Once negotiations are complete, contracted facilities will operate under a strict “walk-in, walk-out” policy, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for teachers seeking treatment under the scheme.
Further, the government and KNUT will escalate dialogue through a National Executive Council meeting scheduled for early May.
County-level structures have also been reactivated to handle disputes locally.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the reforms aim to restore dignity and trust in the system, while KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu welcomed the agreement as a win for teachers nationwide.