SHA clarifies IVF policy, removes marriage certificate requirement for teachers
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the earlier requirement was incorrect and does not form part of the approved conditions for accessing IVF.
Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi. (Photo: SHA)
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has clarified that teachers seeking In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment under its cover will not be required to present a marriage certificate, following public outcry after a teacher was denied access under new fertility care rules.
The high school teacher was allegedly told she needed to present a marriage certificate or proof of marriage to qualify for IVF, despite earlier hopes of ease raised by the rollout of fertility treatment coverage.
The teacher, identified as Jane, not her real name, had struggled with infertility for more than eight years due to blocked fallopian tubes and had welcomed the announcement as a long-awaited relief.
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However, her optimism faded after a pre-authorisation request submitted by her doctor was declined. In its response, the SHA reportedly indicated that approval required a marriage certificate or affidavit.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 17, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the earlier requirement was incorrect and does not form part of the approved conditions for accessing IVF services.
“SHA wishes to clarify that a marriage certificate is not a requirement for accessing IVF services,” the statement said.
This sparked criticism from education sector unions, who argued that such conditions were not included in the negotiated medical cover agreement between SHA and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).
KUPPET said the requirement was unfair and not part of the agreed-upon terms. They maintained that access to fertility treatment should not depend on marital status.
It further accused SHA of introducing conditions not agreed upon in the contract, arguing that contributors should access services without additional personal requirements.
SHA stated that the mention of a marriage certificate was made in error and directed the hospital to resubmit the application through the correct pre-authorisation process for review.