Relief for civil servants as Health Ministry, SHA, union strike deal on medical scheme

Relief for civil servants as Health Ministry, SHA, union strike deal on medical scheme

Relief for civil servants as Health Ministry, SHA, union strike deal on medical scheme

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As part of the immediate interventions, the SHA directed all contracted health facilities under the POMSF to cease charging civil servants any out-of-pocket fees

Civil servants have reached a reprieve after the Ministry of Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants agreed on urgent measures to restore stability in the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
The agreement follows recent disruptions marked by hospital billing disputes and unauthorised medical charges across contracted facilities.
In a joint communiqué issued on Thursday after a consultative meeting, the three parties said the agreement was aimed at addressing operational challenges that had affected service delivery, including cases where civil servants were subjected to out-of-pocket payments and delays in access to care.

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“We jointly reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the health, dignity, and well-being of Kenyan civil servants. Acknowledging the recent disruptions, including the unacceptable detention of civil servants in health facilities over billing disputes and the imposition of unauthorised co-payments, we have agreed on binding measures to restore seamless and dignified access to healthcare services across the country,” read the joint statement.
The parties reaffirmed that there has been no reduction in medical benefits under the scheme.
They noted that outpatient cover remains intact at levels exceeding Sh70,000, depending on job group, alongside continued optical and dental coverage for more than 120,000 principal members and their dependents.

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As part of the immediate interventions, the SHA directed all contracted health facilities under the POMSF to cease charging civil servants any out-of-pocket fees.
The directive, the parties said, is consistent with existing contractual obligations between providers and the authority, and reinforces a “zero co-payment” policy for beneficiaries.
The communiqué further announced the formation of a Joint Rapid Response Desk comprising SHA, the State Department for Public Service, and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants.
The team will be responsible for securing the release of any affected civil servants held in hospitals over billing disputes and processing claims for refunds arising from unauthorised charges.
To address longer-term concerns, SHA will begin nationwide tariff negotiations with private and faith-based health facilities classified between Level 3 and Level 6.
The talks, scheduled to begin on April 28, 2026, are expected to conclude within four weeks and will establish a harmonised reimbursement framework for services under the scheme.
The agreement also restricts access under POMSF to contracted facilities only, with SHA expected to publish and regularly update an official list of approved providers.
Authorities said this measure is intended to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and improve accountability within the healthcare system.

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