Education CS George Magoha on Wednesday, November 18, stated that the government was working to put in place measures to cover hospital bills for students who contract Covid-19.
Speaking on an inspection tour in West Pokot, Magoha reiterated that students would remain in school, and assured parents and teachers of the government's support with regards to medical expenses.
"We are going to take a firm position as the government, that as children are treated in hospital, Covid-19 must be covered as well," Magoha stated.
He further commended Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for putting in place an insurance cover for teachers to seek treatment for Covid-19.
The government stated that 337,000 government-employed teachers would receive full medical cover under the Commission’s medical scheme for coronavirus-related ailments.
Deputy President William Ruto also commended TSC for including Covid-19 insurance cover for its members.
Ruto urged NHIF to extend a similar cover to its members, especially students who are set to resume school in January.
This comes as the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association raised concerns over the death of 13 headteachers and principals since the partial reopening of schools.
The Health Ministry had earlier in the month declined to fund Covid-19 related medical bills under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) terming it unsustainable.
In its estimates released in July 2020, the Ministry noted that the cost of managing an asymptomatic case was Ksh21,300 daily in a public hospital.
On Wednesday, November 18, Kenya's Director-General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, explained that NHIF could only cover civil servants.
"All public servants serving under the national government, including healthcare workers, are covered by NHIF. We have also had discussions with counties to come onboard under NHIF umbrella for insurance of county workers," he explained.
