The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has discharged all teenage mothers previously reported to be detained over pending bills and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration issues.
This follows widespread reports by media outlets, including Daily Nation, Citizen TV, and viral TikTok videos, alleging that new mothers were being held at the facility due to unpaid SHA premiums or incomplete registration — claims the hospital initially denied.
Hospital Confirms Discharges
In a statement released on Sunday, September 22, MTRH confirmed that the affected mothers had been discharged, saying they were already in the process of leaving when the reports surfaced.
According to the hospital, the Hospital Credit and Evaluation Committee reviewed cases of mothers who were unable to present necessary SHA registration documents — such as national identification cards or birth certificates — and cleared them appropriately.
“Those who were unable to present the requisite documentation for SHA registration had their cases reviewed and appropriately cleared by the Hospital Credit and Evaluation Committee,” the hospital stated.
Overcrowding and Poor Conditions Allegations
Earlier reports from Daily Nation on September 18 claimed the hospital was overcrowded, with patients sharing beds, receiving substandard meals, and new mothers unable to leave due to pending SHA registration or unpaid premiums.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Kirwa, refuted the allegations, insisting that no patients were being unlawfully detained and that all were receiving appropriate medical care.
He noted that teenage mothers without IDs were issued temporary identification to facilitate SHA registration and prevent delays.
“Congestion may occur when patients have not completed SHA enrolment, but we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to ease the process,” Dr. Kirwa said in an earlier statement dated Friday, August 19.
The hospital also denied claims that patients were served leftovers, stressing that all meals, supplies, and services meet the necessary quality standards. However, Dr. Kirwa acknowledged that MTRH sometimes admits patients who could be treated at lower-level facilities, which strains its capacity.
SHA Billing Tensions Spread to Private Hospitals
The controversy at MTRH coincides with rising tensions between hospitals and the government over unpaid SHA bills. On Sunday, the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) directed all private hospitals nationwide to begin requiring cash payments from SHA beneficiaries starting Monday, September 22.
RUPHA said delayed and unsettled payments from SHA had made it unsustainable for hospitals to continue offering services on credit.
“Effective today, all healthcare services (unless otherwise stated) at this facility for Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries will be provided on a cash basis,” RUPHA said in its notice.
Background: SHA and Healthcare Financing
The Social Health Authority, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), was launched to provide universal health coverage and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Kenyans. However, delayed reimbursements and operational challenges have led to growing frustration among healthcare providers, who say they are shouldering the cost of care.
Key Takeaways
- MTRH has discharged all teen mothers allegedly detained over SHA-related issues.
- The hospital denies claims of unlawful detention and poor-quality services.
- Private hospitals under RUPHA have begun demanding cash payments from SHA beneficiaries due to delayed government reimbursements.
- The incident highlights growing tensions around Kenya’s new health financing system.