KMTC Graduates 5,150 during its 90th Graduation Ceremony
Health Principal Secretary Ms. Susan Mochache has challenged Kenya Medical Training (KMTC) Graduates intending to seek employment abroad to invest their time in preparing for the pre-departure training.
Speaking during the KMTC 90th graduation ceremony held on December 2, 2021, Ms. Mochache noted that all the resources they require to prepare adequately for the Englsih professional exams are available on the internet. “The Kenyan Government is currently in discussions with the United Kingdom (UK) Government to have the exams offered online to make it easier for those interested.
To equip trainees with requisite skills and knowledge to qualify for the international market, KMTC is currently offering English language sessions. Further, the College is developing a package for pre-departure training to prepare health workers who wish to migrate other countries.
Further, the PS challenged the graduands to embrace volunteerism to acquire the much needed work experience, which would give them an edge over their peers.
The PS hailed KMTC for the immense contribution to the development of the country, by producing competent health professionals in various disciplines.
She noted that to reduce the burden of treatment emanating from late diagnosis, the College continues to attach its trainees to Rural Health facilities, where they spend over 51,000 hours weekly on community diagnosis and treatment.
In the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic in the country, Ms. Mochache recognized the good work done by KMTC to support the Government’s efforts. “I urge that we do not sit back and relax but rather explore how else we could respond better. This calls for deliberate focus in research on emerging trends in medical care in all the areas of training in the College,” she added.
PS Mochache commended the College for leveraging on ICT to ensure that students don’t lag behind in their training. She added “Indeed, the College’s innovative strategy and e-Learning platform, of which several training institutions are currently benchmarking on, ensured graduands completed their studies as scheduled.”
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and County Governments, she challenged KMTC Board to explore other measures to mitigate the gaps in Human Resources for Health in the country including a collegiate health care workers training system in the country’s health facilities, so as to achieve the desirable health workforce in the country in the shortest time possible.
“In this regard, I challenge the Board to think not just of the current needs but also those of the future. You need to ask what will the healthcare worker of the future need to look like and how best is the institution preparing the students for that environment? How will the graduates from this College interact with the emerging and technological trends of the future?” she added.
KMTC Board Chairperson Amb. Muburi Muita thanked the Government for the support to the College enabling it achieve its mandate of training and research for the people of Kenya. He reported that the Board has allocated resources to support research undertakings in the College and institutionalized mechanisms for capacity building to ensure staff acquire the necessary competencies to manage affairs of the College.
Further, the Board of Directors has up-scaled digitization of College services which has resulted to streamlined operations and efficiency in service delivery, Amb. Muburi said.
In addition, the Chairperson noted the key role that partners have played in the growth of the College. “Through dynamic partnerships, the College has attracted infrastructural and financial resources from National Government Constituency Development Fund(s), County Governments and other partners, enabling the institution to create more training and employment opportunities for Kenyans,” he said.
Ag. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch confirmed that the 5, 150 graduands released during the ceremony, are well trained, examined, equipped with the relevant skills and competencies to serve in any part of the world.
In order to develop a competent workforce while prioritizing the implementation of Primary HealthCare objectives, the College has introduced new courses, which include a course Speech therapy and sign language as well as Point of care ultra sound in obstetrics for Nurse Midwives, and reviewed curricula to reflect emerging health needs, Dr. Kelly further reported.
This is the 90th Graduation Ceremony the College is holding since its establishment 94 years ago. Today’s Graduands consist of 642 Higher Diplomas, 3, 111 Diplomas and 1, 397Certificates.
