Free at last: Moi referral bows to patient release demands
For months, MTRH barred the patients from going home citing outstanding medication bills ranging between KES20,000 and KES500,000. The detained patients complained of verbal abuse by medical staff as well as living in overcrowded spaces.
At least 27 new mothers, who had spent months at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) unable to clear their medical bills, have been released to go home after the healthcare establishment succumbed to release demands from the public.
For months, MTRH barred the patients from going home citing outstanding medication bills ranging between KES20,000 and KES500,000. The detained patients complained of verbal abuse by medical staff as well as living in overcrowded spaces.
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“All affected clients have been discharged and returned safely to their homes” the hospital said in a statement following a viral video on TikTok and a subsequent media coverage where young mothers claimed were unable to leave the Eldoret-based hospital after delivery due to outstanding bills.
On Sunday, MTRH chief executive officer Philip Kirwa explained that the delays in discharge were mainly due to challenges in registering for the Social Health Authority (SHA), a problem tied to missing documents or unpaid premiums.
“The main challenge, even with the teenagers, is that they have no identification or birth certificates. This makes it difficult for us to clear them or for the Social Health Authority to pay. It is either they pay cash, or if they are unable, our credit committee reviews their cases and makes recommendations accordingly,” Dr. Kirwa explained.
MTRH added that services, meals, and medical supplies to the affected patients were of quality standards, dismissing claims that mothers were served leftover food. “As a client-centric hospital, we remain committed to treating all patients with dignity and care,” added Dr. Kirwa.
According to the CEO, cases of mothers without proper documentation were reviewed by the hospital credit and evaluation committee in accordance with internal guidelines and patient support protocols.
“We urge Kenyans, including clients seeking services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital to enroll with the Social Health Authority and ensure that their premium contributions are up-to-date,” Dr. Kirwa said.
