More than 2.5 million private school learners in the country will benefit from medical insurance cover from next month.
This follows an agreement that was signed on Tuesday between Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and MINET Kenya.
The KPSA signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NHIF and MINET Kenya that will benefit both primary and secondary school students from the holistic medical cover.
The KPSA National Chairman, Mutheu Kasanga said the biometric system of insurance will not only cover students during school period but also on weekends and holidays.
Speaking during KPSA annual Directors’ Conference at PrideInn Paradise Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Ms. Kasanga said all school assets will also be covered in the deal.
Kasanga said the medical insurance will cover all learners starting from pre-primary to secondary school unlike that one in public schools which cover only secondary school pupils.
Kasanga noted that the agreement with NHIF and MINET Kenya will enable those covered to also access the services in any accredited hospital any time including weekends and holidays.
This upgraded insurance policy will be different from that in public schools which requires a letter from head teachers to access medication during weekends and holidays.
She said, “Students who will be covered must register biometrically to avoid fraud and schools will also save millions of shillings from the cover as a result of cases of arsons.”
The MINET Kenya Managing Director, Sammy Muthui said the insurance will be a comprehensive one covering curative diseases, accidents, depression and other mental problems.
Muthui said the partnership with NHIF will be part of their plan to ensure funds are well monitored and accounted.
By Mohamed Hassan
