Summary
NHIF’s discontinuation of the EduAfya insurance scheme, affecting 3.4 million learners, sparks concern. Secondary school heads demand program continuation amid proposed changes.
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has abruptly concluded the Ksh.4.5 billion EduAfya insurance scheme for schools, leaving over 3.4 million students without coverage. As the program ceased on December 31, 2023, just days before the 2024 academic term, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA) urges the government to ensure its continuity. KSSHA Chairman Indimuli Kahi criticizes the move, emphasizing the need to preserve the program’s benefits.
Indimuli reveals that secondary school heads propose changes to the scheme, including a reduction in the Ksh.1,600 premium per student per year, deeming it excessively high. The uncertainty arises from the recent Universal Health Bill, which excludes the medical scheme from the new body set to replace the fund.
While acknowledging the noble idea of a collective pool, Indimuli highlights challenges faced by schools with smaller populations. The EduAfya program, operational for over four years, provided comprehensive medical coverage for students in public secondary schools registered with the National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS).
In 2019, the program recorded 606,893 students seeking medical attention out of the 2.7 million learners under its cover. The decision now places parents and educators in a precarious situation concerning the potential impact on students’ well-being.