Public Servants And TSC Teachers To Face a New Deduction Now
Public Servants And TSC Teachers To Face a New Deduction Now. Teachers and other civil servants face salary cuts due to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) Bill.The bill was read a second time in Parliament despite public opposition.
Members of Parliament from different political parties supported the amendment supporting the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the SHIF. The bill aims to create a Social Security Insurance Institution to replace the existing NHIF and is expected to be considered by the entire House of Representatives.
Once the bill becomes law, all taxpayers, including teachers and government employees, will see a mandatory deduction of 2.75% of their salaries to fund SHIF. The development has sparked outrage among civil society organizations warning Kenyans not to suffer anymore.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa believes the measure will reform the healthcare system and fight corruption that diverts funds meant for patients.
According to Ichungwa, SHIF aims to overcome the inefficiencies and governance challenges plaguing the NHIF while building on the country’s health development and accelerating the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC), ensuring financial sustainability.
Minority Whip Junet Muhammed said corruption remains the main problem and must be addressed to improve the health system.
Civil society organizations strongly criticized the monthly deduction of 2.75% from taxpayers’ wages and accused the government of imposing additional taxes without considering the financial burden of the people.
Okoa Uchumi group accused the government of ignoring public input in the forum related to this bill.
The Social Security Insurance Act is one of four bills designed to speed up implementation of executive agency health plans. Other bills include the Digital Health Act, the Primary Health Care Act and the Facilities Improvement Act.
Civil Servants And Teachers To Face a New Deduction Now