The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national
and international interest.
By Kamau Maichuhie
Kenya: The Government will introduce part-time programmes in all Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTC) to address the current shortage of medical personnel.
The colleges will also be expanded and equipped, besides more personnel being deployed to bolster training and cater for the expected increase in student population.
Speaking at Thika Medical Training College at the weekend during a familiarisation tour, newly-appointed chairman of the Kenya Medical Training College Board Philip Kaloki said the country is in need of about 55,000 nurses and other medical personnel, adding the introduction of the part-time programme is expected to curb the shortage.
“The country is currently facing a serious shortage of medical personnel like nurses, clinical officers, and laboratory technologists among others. We expect the introduction of the part-time programme will more than triple the current intake of 6,000 students annually,” Prof Kaloki said.
According to Kaloki, the Government receives about 20,000 applications annually from applicants. Kaloki further announced that an ambitious expansion programme of all medical training colleges would be launched to add facilities. New medical training colleges will be built in the 19 counties where KMTC does not have a presence.
“The expansion of the colleges will entail building of new tuition blocks, laboratories, hostels, computer labs and other important facilities crucial in offering medical training,” he said.
“Plans to start KMTC teaching and referral hospital are also at an advanced stage. The institution will offer training opportunities to our medical students and offer employment openings,” he added. Kaloki noted he is working on a plan that will link KMTCs to other medical colleges locally and internationally for exchange programmes.
Campuses
The board’s vice-chairman David Muthoga and member Grace Thitai accompanied Kalokiduring the familiarisation tour. Kiambu County Executive Member for Health Jonah Mwangi said the county government will partner with other stakeholders in the health sector in offering training of medical personnel.
“As a county government, we are allowing KMTC to use our facilities like the county hospitals, which shows our commitment in partnering with them. Plans are also underway to start medical campuses in Gatundu and Githunguri,” Dr Mwangi said.
Thika KMTC principal John Nyaga said the college is in dire need of tuition blocks, hostels, laboratories, computers and lecturers.
join