12,621 graduate as KMTC holds its 87th Annual Graduation Ceremony
It was a day of celebration and joy as 12,621 graduated during the 87th Kenya Medical Training College Annual Graduation Ceremony in Nairobi on 5th December, 2019.
The number of students graduating has been on a steady increase. In 2016, the figure stood at, 8,042 in 2017, 8,967 while in 2018 was 10,869. An increase of 16% was recorded in the number of graduands this year compared to last year.
The graduands were drawn from the seven Faculties of: Nursing, Clinical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information Technology and Medical Education, Diagnostic Sciences, Public Health Sciences and Rehabilitative Sciences.
The Graduation Ceremony themed “Training Health Professionals Towards Accessible Universal Health Coverage” saw 534 awarded Higher Diplomas, 9,250 Diplomas and 2,837 Certificates.
The Chief Guest Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Mrs. Sicily Kariuki said the National Government has designed and implemented various health care policy reforms, made deliberate efforts to increase access and demand for healthcare services, and was exploring other measures to mitigate the gaps in Human Resources for Health in the country.
She added “Adequate, skilled and fairly distributed Human Resource for Health is a prerequisite for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals”.
To increase the number of health care workers in the Country, the CS said the Ministry of Health, through the KMTC, had set up additional 43 Campuses increasing the number from 28 in 2013 to 71 across the country.
She hailed the partnership KMTC had forged with County Governments and other partners, which had seen the College train for the Counties’ identified health needs thus bridging the human resources gaps in the country.
Board Chairman Prof. Philip Kaloki, MBS said the over the years, the Board had embedded and strengthened the culture of good governance to ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations.
He affirmed that KMTC is the lead-trainer in the medical field producing over 85% of middle level health professionals for the local health sector. He said the College remains the lead in employability of its graduates both in Kenya and beyond.
CEO Prof. Michael Kiptoo thanked the Board for support given enabling the College to strengthen its quality management systems, adopt world class academic practices, harmonize academic programmes, teaching timetables and examination procedures across campuses to ensure uniformity, quality and efficiency in training is met.
He added that the College developed and implemented new programs that are market driven and in support of UHC. He also hailed the Board for improving the College’s transport systems, which has facilitated students to access practical clinical sites to complete their training in preparation for the job market.
He commended graduands for “your resilience, determination and focus”, and the Graduation Committee “for the exemplary job of organizing this graduation ceremony.”
The graduands made a Solemn Promise to uphold professionalism and ethics in their practice.
The Ceremony also saw ten graduands who won various awards during the 2108/2019 academic year awarded and 27 staff who had completed various degree and masters programs recognized.
The College Annual graduation ceremony held once very year, was attended by Ministry of Health officials, representatives from Parliament, County Governments, government and private entities, development partners, parents, guardians among others.
The graduation ceremony culminated in the opening the new wing of KMTC Headquarters by the CS.
