Teachers across the country will transition to a new medical insurance scheme following the announcement of the Comprehensive Mwalimu Medical Cover by the Social Health Authority (SHA). The programme, which becomes active on 1 December 2025, will replace previous medical arrangements and is expected to offer broader coverage for teachers and their dependents.
In a notice issued ahead of the rollout, SHA asked all teachers to confirm or update their dependents to ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare services under the new scheme. Teachers can complete the update by dialing *147# or through the portals sha.go.ke and afyayangu.go.ke.
The Authority emphasized that the validation of dependents is a mandatory step, as accurate records will determine eligibility for services once the cover becomes operational. The directive comes as part of SHA’s nationwide transition into a unified health financing framework aimed at improving access to primary, emergency and specialized care.
The Comprehensive Mwalimu Medical Cover is expected to consolidate benefits including outpatient care, inpatient treatment, surgical procedures, maternity services, diagnostics, emergency response and referral services. SHA has positioned the scheme as a central component of its strategy to strengthen health security for public sector workers.
Education sector stakeholders view the rollout as a significant shift in the management of teachers’ health benefits. While the Teachers Service Commission has not released additional guidance on the scheme, the communication from SHA indicates that the system is ready for activation once beneficiary details are fully updated.
Teachers interviewed by BusinessRadar expressed optimism regarding the potential improvements in service quality but called for clarity on the hospital network, limits and emergency procedures. Several teachers also raised concerns about potential delays if dependent details are not updated in time.
SHA has been working on a phased activation of new medical schemes across various public sector groups since the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund. The teacher segment represents one of the largest insured groups under the public service, making accuracy of beneficiary data a critical part of the implementation process.
Health sector observers note that timely communication will be essential to avoid service disruptions, especially in early December when the scheme becomes active. Providers typically require real-time verification before offering treatment, making the integrity of the database crucial.
As the activation date approaches, teachers have been encouraged to complete the verification process as early as possible to avoid last-minute congestion on digital platforms. SHA maintains that the system is fully operational and equipped to handle national-scale updates ahead of the December deadline.
