TSC adds IVF services for teachers under SHA cover

The Teachers Service Commission has officially activated In-Vitro Fertilisation services for its eligible members under the Social Health Authority Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover.

This major healthcare expansion marks a significant shift in teacher welfare as the commission seeks to address reproductive health challenges within the profession.

Teachers and their families can now access these specialised services at The Nairobi West Hospital, which is a contracted and accredited healthcare provider under the scheme.

The activation of this medical benefit took effect on April 24, 2026.

The commission noted that the Social Health Authority recognises infertility as a medically recognised condition with significant physical, emotional, and social effects.

According to the official announcement, this benefit is designed to provide safe, quality care to affected members and their families. Access to these IVF services is strictly reserved for SHA-POMSF beneficiaries only.

To qualify for the treatment, several specific conditions must be met by the applicants to ensure the programme reaches those in need.

The benefit is available to principal members and their lawfully declared spouses. All potential cases must be supported by a documented clinical diagnosis and a written recommendation from a registered specialist.

Eligibility hinges on a documented failure to conceive after twelve months of regular unprotected intercourse or as clinically determined by a qualified specialist.

The commission has set a lifetime attempt limit of a maximum of two IVF attempts per beneficiary.

Furthermore, there is an age restriction for the female partner, who must be aged forty-one years or below at the start of the treatment cycle.

The cover is inclusive of both primary and secondary infertility.

For secondary infertility cases, the couple must have no living child at the time of treatment. This benefit is provided within the existing inpatient benefit limit of the Mwalimu Comprehensive Cover. It encompasses frozen embryo transfer cycles which fall within the same overall IVF benefit limit.

In cases of unsuccessful treatment or cycle cancellation, the policy provides a financial safety net for the members.

If a cycle is cancelled or fails due to poor ovarian response or failure to retrieve viable oocytes, the costs incurred up to that point will be applied against the inpatient limit.

This also applies to the absence of viable embryos or failed implantation. Treatment can continue until either the inpatient benefit limit is used up or the member reaches the maximum of two IVF attempts.

Strict clinical governance remains a priority for the implementation of this new medical service. All treatment must strictly follow national clinical guidelines and SHA pre-authorisation procedures.

The Teachers Service Commission is pleased to inform all eligible members that only services provided at SHA-contracted and accredited facilities will be eligible for reimbursement.

By integrating IVF into the comprehensive cover, the commission is addressing a deep-seated need for modern reproductive health solutions for teachers across Kenya.