The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has released all teenage mothers previously held over pending bills and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration issues, following widespread public outcry.
The release came after media reports and viral social media videos alleged that the new mothers were being detained at the facility due to incomplete SHA registration or unpaid premiums. MTRH had earlier denied the claims.
In a statement on Sunday, September 22, the hospital said the mothers had been discharged and explained that its Credit and Evaluation Committee reviewed cases of those lacking proper documentation, such as IDs or birth certificates, before clearing them.
Hospital CEO Philip Kirwa dismissed claims of unlawful detention, saying temporary identification documents had been issued to allow registration and prevent unnecessary delays. He also defended the facility against allegations of poor meals and overcrowding, clarifying that congestion was mainly due to patients who could otherwise be treated in lower-level hospitals.
The saga comes at a time when hospitals are grappling with strained relations with the government over delayed SHA payments. On Sunday, the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) directed private hospitals to start demanding cash payments from SHA beneficiaries, citing unsustainable operations caused by unsettled bills.
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