Public Outcry Forces MTRH to Discharge Teenage Mothers

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has discharged teenage mothers who had been detained at Riley Mother and Baby Hospital over unpaid medical bills, following a national outcry and widespread media coverage.

The release comes after days of public pressure triggered by a viral TikTok video and follow-up reports on September 19, which showed the plight of the young mothers held at the Eldoret-based facility.

At least 27 new mothers had been held at MTRH, some for as long as three months, over outstanding bills ranging from Sh20,000 to Sh500,000.

In a statement on September 21, MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip K. Kirwa confirmed that all affected mothers had been discharged and reunited with their families.

“All affected clients have been discharged and returned safely to their homes,” the hospital said in a press statement.

The patients, including teenagers, alleged overcrowding and verbal abuse by hospital staff.

Why Mothers Were Detained at MTRH

Kirwa explained that the mothers had initially faced delays in registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA) due to missing documentation such as national identification cards and birth certificates.

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These cases, he said, were reviewed and cleared by the hospital’s Credit and Evaluation Committee to ensure no further disruption to access to care.

“Their cases were reviewed and appropriately cleared … for uninterrupted access to healthcare services,” the statement read.

MTRH further defended its commitment to care, noting that it remains steadfast in providing “high-quality, dignified healthcare to all patients,” even amid financial constraints linked to the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA.

Earlier MTRH Response

The hospital attributed any discharge delays to challenges in SHA registration, such as missing identification cards, incomplete birth certificates, or unpaid annual premiums.

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“As a client-centric hospital, we remain committed to treating all patients with dignity and care,” said Dr Philip Kirwa, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, while urging families to ensure timely SHA registration to avoid disruptions.

The hospital explained that services, meals, and medical supplies at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital meet required quality standards, dismissing claims that mothers were served leftovers.

MTRH, which is a Level Six national referral facility, also pointed out that it frequently receives patients who could be treated at lower-level hospitals, which can create additional pressure on space and resources.

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