MPs Question MTRM’s Billing System

The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) has raised concerns about the reliability and accountability of the billing system at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

During a session chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, lawmakers questioned hospital officials led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa over audit issues flagged in the Auditor General’s reports.

A key issue raised was the continued use of the Funsoft Health Management Information System (HMIS) for billing and invoicing patients. The committee noted that the system had serious flaws.

“The system is not integrated. Doctor consultations and prescriptions are not properly linked with pharmacy and ward billing,” said Wangwe. “It is troubling that the hospital still issues manual invoices despite using the system for over ten years.”

Although a 2017 audit by the Ministry of ICT found the system functional, hospital officials said it had become unreliable, forcing them to revert to manual billing.

Dr. Kirwa told the committee that MTRH has started transitioning to a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed specifically for the hospital.

“While the system is not entirely free—developers were paid for customization—it is still cheaper than purchasing commercial software,” he said. “We are also upgrading our network infrastructure to support this transition.”

However, MPs demanded proof that the new system is credible and meets government standards.

“You must write to the auditors and request an independent opinion,” Wangwe said. “The Ministry of ICT has a department that can verify if the system is up to standard.”

The committee also faulted the hospital for lacking an ICT Disaster Recovery Plan and IT Continuity Plan, which are essential for managing technology risks and ensuring emergency preparedness.

In response, Dr. Kirwa acknowledged the gaps but assured the committee that modernization efforts are underway.

“The hospital is gradually adopting new ICT tools and automating key processes. We are also investing in better infrastructure, including a modern data centre and improved networks,” he said.