Why teachers are getting healthier

According to a new report, 574 teachers died last year, representing a more than 50 per cent drop from the previous year.

A new report has attributed this to the increased uptake of the teachers' medical scheme, which started in 2015.

Overall, 4,364 teachers have died since the introduction of the multi-billion-shilling medical cover. In 2017-18, 1,383 deaths were registered, which then dipped to 574 in the 2018-19 reporting period, which covered the fourth year of the scheme.

“Efforts to save lives are now paying off with enhanced medical care, wellness campaigns that have seen teachers utilising the scheme, as well as awareness creation,” reads the report.

During its first year, 2015-16, 1,171 teachers died, with the numbers rising to 1,236 the following year.

The report shows that more lives were lost during the first three years of the cover, and explains most of the teachers who died were already suffering from chronic diseases by the time the scheme started.

However, with enhanced sensitisation towards preventive care, hospital admissions and deaths have reduced, it says. 

The report shows 109,829 teachers have enrolled in the programme over the last four years.

Health coaching

Additionally, 329 activities have been rolled out to support wellness programmes, with the aim of sensitising teachers on lifestyle and preventive care.

“Over the policy period 2015-2019, Minet has conducted 329 wellness activities that saw over 109,800 people get screening for indicative vitals and health coaching for healthier lifestyles. The activities helped 2,194 teachers and their dependents enrol for Chronic Disease Management Program,” reads the report.

Wellness programmes cover health education, preventive care, chronic disease management, lifestyle improvement and HIV and Aids workplace programmes.

The number of teachers enrolled in the wellness programme has risen from an initial 11,480 listed in the first year. In the second year, however, new membership dropped to 5,414 before shooting up to 47,463 the following year. An additional 45,472 teachers were admitted last year. 

The data shows even though more chronic diseases are being managed under the scheme, fewer deaths are being recorded.

“This is because of proper management of the diseases, which prolongs teachers' lives,” the report says.