NPS Moves to Transfer Officers from Police Medical Scheme to SHA

The National Police Service (NPS) has initiated formal steps to transition police officers from the existing Police Medical Scheme to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) under the Social Health Authority (SHA), following a high-level consultative meeting held at NPS Headquarters in Nairobi.

In a statement released after the meeting, NPS confirmed that it had convened senior officials from SHA to deliberate on the transition framework.

The SHA delegation was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, who also paid a courtesy call on Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, at his office prior to the engagement.

“NPS today convened a meeting with senior officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) at NPS Headquarters in Nairobi to deliberate on the transition of officers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) under SHA,” the statement read, underscoring the significance of the move for thousands of officers across the country.

Operational Demands in Police Work

The meeting chair, Ms. Bernice Lemedeket (Secretary Administration, Accounting Officer), said the engagement was held as a forum to bring together all senior leadership of the Kenya Police Service (KPS), the Administration Police Service (APS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

She stated that the purpose of the meeting was to increase the understanding of how SHA will benefit the police as they prepare for a transition to a structured new Health Scheme.

Ms. Lemedeket noted that the, “unique nature of police work,” and “the nationwide deployment of police officers,” required a specialized health scheme for their needs as police officers.

She elaborated that, “because police work is unique, operational realities,” including risks, mobility and unpredictable hours of work, required a separate health scheme to meet the police Department’s functioning demands.

Also Read: IG Kanja Reveals Why Police Might Use Live Ammunition During Protests

Addressing Officers’ Concerns

The meeting also offered a chance to address the concerns that the officers had, especially in terms of the benefits, facilities, and continuity of the care under the new scheme.

The meeting, according to the statement, “addressed officers’ concerns and resolved to hold quarterly utilisation reviews, grant access to the utilisation portal, and conduct sensitisation forums across the Service.”

This is aimed at ensuring that the officers are well aware of the benefits that they are entitled to, thus ensuring transparency in the system.

It is also agreed that, “a dedicated call centre shall be established, a list of contracted facilities shall be shared, and a seamless transition to the Social Health Authority shall be ensured through regular consultative meetings.”

This is aimed at alleviating the anxiety that the officers are likely to experience in the course of the transition.

Also Read: NPS Swings to Action After Viral CCTV Shows Police Beat Youths Playing Pool

Commitment to Seamless Transition

NPS reiterated its institutional commitment to the welfare of its personnel, stating that it, “remains committed to safeguarding the health and welfare of its officers by ensuring a seamless transition to the Social Health Authority, strengthening collaboration, and continuously addressing emerging concerns to enhance access to quality medical care across the Service.”

The meeting was attended by senior security leadership, including the NPS Director of Personnel, Dr. Wanderi Mwangi, SAIG; Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Mr. Patrick Tito, SAIG; Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Dr. Masoud Mwinyi, SAIG; the Deputy Director of the Internal Affairs Unit, Mr. Barasa Saiya, AIG; and the Director of Planning at the DCI, Mr. Bernard Wamwoli, AIG, among other senior officers.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

National Police Service (NPS) in a meeting with senior officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) at NPS Headquarters in Nairobi to deliberate on the transition of officers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) under SHA. PHOTO/ NPS X