Shattered hopes for students at Gretsa University after completing course only to realize it had not been accredited

When Jane (not her real name) enrolled at Gretsa University in Thika last year, she hoped to become a qualified medical laboratory technician.

But a semester to completion of the course, she realized that despite repeated verbal and written claims by the university, the course was not accredited by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).

The board is legally mandated to accredit institutions training medical lab technicians in Kenya.

A brochure from Gretsa University seen by The Metropolitan advertising a diploma course in medical laboratory technology clearly states the course satisfies the requirements for accreditation.

Their brochure also shows they offer a certificate course in medical laboratory technology despite the fact that KMLTTB has discontinued certificate programmes in all institutions.

Denied claims

Gretsa University Dean of School of Health Science Samuel Ongeri, however, said no student was on internship from Gretsa taking the medical laboratory course.

“We only have two students in their first year taking the diploma course,” he said.

He said no students were taking a certificate course in medical laboratory technology at the university.

The Metropolitan was however able to obtain a copy of an official attachment letter one of their students used to seek attachment.

Asked if it still ran any courses that were not accredited, the Dean said Gretsa University was working with the relevant agency to get accreditation for the course.

“We are just starting out the programme and the first batch of students is only in their first semester and they still do not qualify for indexing or attachment. On the issue of accreditation, we have contacted the board and we have a few aspects to finish before we can go ahead,” he said.

KMLTTB Chairman Abel Onyango said they were unaware of any medical laboratory courses being offered at the institution.

“We've not accredited or indexed anyone in Gretsa,” he said.