Plans are at an advanced stage for the establishment of a medical training college at the Othaya Level Five Hospital.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Vice Chairman David Muthoga, said the new college would admit its first batch of 50 students next month and an additional 50 in March next year.
This would be a second one in the county with the other one situated in Nyeri town.
"The college is as a result of a joint venture between the county government of Nyeri, the national government, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and KMTC," Mr Muthoga said.
He noted that the aim of establishing another branch was to increase the enrollment of students undertaking medical courses to meet the increased demand for health professionals.
"The one in existence at Nyeri Referral Hospital does not adequately cater for the needs of health personnel in the region, "the vice chairman observed.
Muthoga said the college, which will be supported by the Othaya Level Five Hospital, would be accommodated in the old building, where heath faculties are currently being provided from.
"We intend to transfer all operations to the new multi-million-shilling building currently under construction in a bid to create room for the new college," he said.
In an interview with The Standard yesterday, Muthoga explained that the second phase of the construction of the hospital would see it become a teaching and referral hospital.
"KMTC will provide administrative staff, learning equipment, a library as well as books. We expect the county government and CDF to transfer some of the facilities to KMTC, since health is a devolved function," he observed.
Once the transfer is done, the vice chairman said the college would be in a position to access funding from the national government for provision of beddings, chairs, and other infrastructural facilities.
Speaking when she toured the hospital last week, area MP Mary Wambui said the move to establish the institution was gazetted by the national government several years ago.
FINAL TOUCHES
"CDF is ready and willing to provide as well as assist with laundry, kitchen ware and bedding. As the hospital expands, there is need for it to start training heath professionals," the lawmaker observed.
She noted that the ongoing construction at the hospital, which had previously stalled, was on track after the national government injected an additional Sh272 million.
"Contractors are in the process of putting the final touches and are currently installing gas cylinders, and hope it will be ready for the official opening by President Kenyatta," she said.
