Controversially awarded teachers’ medical scheme hangs in the balance as Members of the National Assembly question Aon Minet and Bliss Healthcare tactics.
The National Assembly’s Education Committee chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly had scheduled a meeting with Minet, Bliss Healthcare and Medical Administrators (K) Limited on Tuesday, to deliberate on the concerns.
Minet which is the lead insurer, Bliss is the capacitator in the medical scheme contract while Medical Administrators Kenya Limited (MAKL) oversees the scheme.
The legislators accuse the trio of frustrating teachers and want their concerns addressed before the release of Sh53 billion to the scheme.
The angry MPs spoke after a snub by the insurers, and vowed to stop the disbursement of the Sh53 billion if they prove the teachers’ concerns on the scheme.
Whereas Minet asked for rescheduling of the meeting which the committee acceded to, Bliss and Medical administrators failed to show up even after confirming their appearance to the committee’s secretariat.
The committee citing Standing Order 191 (1), directed that both Bliss and MAKL to pay Sh500,000 for the snub.
“The Clerk must be provided with the receipt of payment before we have the meeting on December 19, 2023.”
The team has now convened an extra-ordinary must-attend meeting on December 19, to deliberate on the complaints.
Melly said the committee will not hesitate to ask Treasury to disburse the funds should the complaints of poor service delivery be proven.
“Their absence is a testimony to the kind of people we are dealing with, if we found out that there is no value for money, we will advise Treasury otherwise,” Melly said.
Minet entered into a Sh53 billion three-year medical cover with Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The first year started from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023, at a cost of Sh14.8 billion.
The second year of the contract runs from November 30, 2023 to November 30, 2024, where the insurer is to receive Sh17.9 billion.
In the final year which runs from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025, the insurer will receive Sh20.6 billion.
The committee said the snub is a confirmation that teachers have been having a raw deal in the scheme and that MPs will take every action to ensure teachers’ interests are catered for.
Committee vice chairperson and Malava MP Malulu Injendi said it is clear from the snub that the teachers have been getting a raw deal.
The firms have been fined Sh500,000 each and ordered to appear before the parliamentary committee on 19th December, 2023
Moiben MP Phyllis Bartoo said there is more to the snub, insisting it is a sign that the insurer is hiding something.
“Mine is simple, you have nowhere to hide because we will find you,” Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera added.
“The country can now see the kind of people who are serving our teachers. If they can snub our meeting, you can imagine how they serve our teachers. We are telling them to utilise funds appropriately for failure to which, we will come for them,” said Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo.