The government has announced a two-month extension of the Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme (CMIS) contract for civil servants, which had expired on September 3. The contract will now run until November 21.
In a statement signed by Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha last week, the extension is intended to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted service delivery for beneficiaries of the scheme.
“The State Department for Public Health, in consultation with the Social Health Authority (SHA), has agreed to extend the contract until November 21, 2024, following the lapse of the civil servant medical insurance scheme on September 30, 2024,” Gathecha said.
Administered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the CMIS provides coverage for employees of national government ministries, state departments, officers seconded to county governments, and staff of the National Youth Service (NYS). The initial contract, which ran from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, was previously extended until September 30. This latest extension adds two more months of coverage.
“The SHA has informed all contracted healthcare providers to ensure beneficiaries continue accessing medical services immediately,” Gathecha added. “Furthermore, the State Department for Public Service is committed to a smooth transition when the current extension expires.”
The ministry also confirmed that plans for continued medical coverage beyond November 21 are being finalized. This extension aims to reassure the thousands of civil servants and their families who depend on the scheme for comprehensive healthcare services.
The announcement follows criticism from civil servant unions earlier this month, which raised concerns about the SHA rollout. They cited disruptions in employee benefits, increased deductions for inferior services, and job losses during the transition.
