Medical training college to be set up at Voi Hospital

The Government is set to establish a medical training college at Voi County Hospital.

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) chairman Philip Kaloki said the existing buildings at the hospital were being refurbished and the training facility would start operations in September.

Prof Kaloki said the institution, which will be the first medical training college in the county, had also been allocated five acres to expand its training facilities.

“Another training facility is also being built in Taveta sub-county. At the moment we need four classrooms, a library and computer room and two dormitories to accommodate 300 students,” he said.

Kaloki also said the health facility would be elevated to referral hospital status once the college was operational.

Staffing gap

He said the campus would offer diploma and certificates courses in nursing, adding that the local community would be given priority in admissions.

“The institution will also offer training in community health, midwifery and health management systems,” said the official.

Speaking to The Standard in Mtito Andei Township yesterday, Kaloki said KMTC was committed to ensuring quick implementation of the project.

“We will ensure that 40 per cent of the training vacancies are allocated to the local community. The training facility is expected to help bridge the staffing gap that is common in rural areas,” he said.

The former Kibwezi MP said about 6,500 health workers graduate from training institutions every year, but the number is not enough to meet the high demand for health services.

Governor John Mruttu and Voi MP Jones Mlolwa said they fully supported the project as it would improve the socio-economic status of the local community.

“The Constituency Development Fund committee will allocate a substantial amount of money to support the project,” assured Mr Mlolwa.