KMTC in deal with counties to expand facilities

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) will partner with counties to expand facilities and increase slots given to the devolved units.

Counties will be required to provide land for the expansion of training facilities to accommodate more students as a way of bridging the health staff shortage in the country.

Speaking during a familiarisation tour of training facilities in Nyanza, KMTC Chief Executive Officer Peter Tum said that with health being devolved, partnering with counties was very crucial.

"Counties must continue giving us resources so that in return we train and design specific programmes that will intervene in the health needs of those particular counties," he said.

Mr Tum said he had already met governors Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Zachary Obado (Migori) who have expressed their commitment to the plan.

Tum said they have laid out a number of reforms that the college will utilise to revamp the health sector that is now faced with myriad challenges.

He added that they are working on a plan to improve the transport of their students by providing the over 50 campuses in the entire country with a bus each.

"We also intend to improve on our information, communication and technology to boost research and also enable applicants to apply for courses online," he said.

Speaking in Kisumu yesterday, Tum said that they would give counties 30 per cent slot for students to be trained under the new collaboration.

"This arrangement has already been approved by the board and will take immediate effect in the next academic year," he added.

He however, stated that the applicants must have the minimum qualifications just like the others and must apply in the normal way.