The government has announced the extension of the Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme (CMIS) contract for civil servants.

The government extended the contract which had expired on September 3, by two months and will now run up to November 21.

A statement signed by Public Service PS Amos Gathecha says the extension will enable a seamless transition and effective service delivery for beneficiaries of the scheme.

“The state Department for Public Health in consultation with Social Health Authority (SHA) have agreed to extend the contract up to November 21, 2024 following the lapse of the extension of the civil servant medical insurance scheme on September 30, 2024,” said Gathecha.

The CMIS, administered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), covers employees of national government ministries, state departments, officers seconded to county governments, and staff of the National Youth Service (NYS).

The contract for the CMIS was initially executed for the 2023/24 financial year, running from July 1, 2023 to June 30.

Contract extended

Following its initial expiration, the contract was extended for three months, until September 30. This latest extension will provide an additional two months of coverage.

“The SHA has taken steps to inform all contracted healthcare providers to ensure that beneficiaries continue to access the medical cover with immediate effect,” Gathecha said. “Furthermore, the State Department for Public Service is committed to a smooth transition upon the expiration of the current extension.”

The ministry also confirmed that mechanisms for continued medical coverage beyond the November 21, extension are currently being finalised.

The extension aims to provide reassurance to the thousands of civil servants and their families who rely on the scheme for access to comprehensive healthcare services.

The notice comes days after civil servant unions on Tuesday faulted the SHA rollout early this month over lack of continuity in providing the said medical cover.

The unions cited the transition process for leaving out critical employee benefits, increased deductions with inferior services and loss of jobs among others.

Proper coverage

Consequently, they issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government that if their concerns were not addressed, all the unions would go on strike.

“We call upon the National and County governments to urgently address these issues and ensure that civil servants are not left without proper healthcare coverage. Our members cannot continue to face increased deductions for diminished healthcare services,” they said.

“Should these concerns remain unaddressed within the next 14 days starting today all the unions undersigned will proceed to an industrial action.”