Uhuru orders graduates train in healthcare

President Uhuru Kenyatta during the National Youth Service (NYS) recruits Pass-Out Parade in Gilgil.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Ministry of Health and Department of Youth Affairs to ensure 2,000 youth from the National Youth Service (NYS) are trained on community health.

The youth, who graduated yesterday from the NYS training colleges in Gilgil Constituency will undertake further training at the Kenya Medical Training School. Speaking during the pass out parade at the institution, President Kenyatta said the youth when trained, will be deployed to provide community health services as part of their national service programme.

At least 117,30 youth successfully underwent a six-month paramilitary course. Since its establishment, NYS has nurtured over 220,000 service men and women. The president commended Amref, the Ministry of Health and other partners for their joint effort to ensure universal health care.

“Today I direct the Ministry of Health and Department of Youth to ensure once these young men and women have served their one year, they will undertake further training at the Kenya Medical Training College based on their academic qualifications," Uhuru said. Further training, he said, will secure the gains realised in the programme.

The president expressed confidence that by engaging the youth, the human resource gap identified in realising universal health coverage, will be alleviated.

“I am confident that by drawing a cadre of competent community health workers from this service, we will alleviate the human resources gap identified in achievement of universal health coverage while also expanding job opportunities for young men and women,” he added. The NYS was lauded for heeding the policy of buy Kenya build Kenya by purchasing all its fabric and shoes used by the service from local manufacturers.