KMTC offers medical support during the Fourth Beyond Zero Medical Safari
KMTC was among participants during the Fourth Beyond Zero Medical Safari, an initiative of the First Lady H.E Margaret Kenyatta, held at Engineer Stadium in Nyandarua County on 15th August, 2019.
The 4thBeyond Zero Medical Safari that started on Wednesday is a three day medical camp to offer residents of Nyandarua various free medical services.
Since its inception, KMTC has been at the forefront of supporting the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris, which brings together various medical specialists providing screening, treatment and referral services. During the event in Nyandarua, 105 KMTC students and 27 lecturers from the College provided support to various medical specialists giving free medical services.
The First Lady thanked various partners for supporting the medical safari by noting that “we can achieve much if we continue to join hands and work together”. She said “we are able to offer free medical services because of the partnerships we see here”. She emphasized, among other things, the need for physical exercise that has many benefits to the well being of the human body and prevention of illness.
Speaking during the event, Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mrs. Sicily Kariuki said “the National Government will continue to provide policy support and technical assistance in order to ensure smooth provision of standardized health care across the country”. As part of this, the CS said that a KMTC Campus will be established in Nyandarua to train health personnel to offer services to the residents and contribute towards achievement of Universal Health Coverage Agenda.
KMTC Board Chairman Prof. Philip Kaloki took the opportunity to convey the College’s gratitude to H.E Margaret Kenyatta, when she toured the KMTC stand, for supporting the training of 1200 Enrolled Community Health Nursing students in KMTC Bomet, Kitui, Kapenguria, Lodwar, Msambweni, Kilifi, Loitoktok and Kabarnet Campuses through her Beyond Zero initiative.
“Through your support, these students from arid and semi-arid areas of the country were able to undertake training at KMTC with no financial hardships,” Prof. Kaloki said adding that “they are expected to go back to their communities and use the skills they acquired at KMTC to serve and safeguard the health of their people.”
In partnership with the World Bank, the First Lady through her Beyond Zero initiative also purchased 12 buses, one utility vehicle and equipped skills labs for the College.
Prof. Kaloki also thanked the Health CS for the support accorded to KMTC to ensure the College achieves its mandate. Through an initiative headed by the CS, 26,000 St. John’s Ambulance Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) will be trained in the 67 KMTC Campuses located across the country, beginning September 2019. Currently, KMTC is training 39,000 health professionals who are expected to play a key role in strengthening health systems in the country upon their graduation.
In addition to being part of initiatives such as the First Lady’s Beyond Zero Medical Safari, KMTC has taken an active role in supporting bridging of human resource for health gaps in the country and beyond.
The event was attended by various dignitaries from the National and County Governments, private sector, NGOs, UN Agencies, media, medics, volunteers and thousands of residents.
KMTC Board Directors Mrs. Ruth Okowa, Mr. Fredrick Wamwaki and Mr. Mithamo Muchiri, CEO Prof. Michael Kiptoo, Administrative Services Manager Mr. David Ondeng and Head of Inter-Governmental Relations Dr. Leah Bii were among those who attended the event. Principals, Ms. Lois King’ori (Nyahururu), Mr. Ronald Wasike (Nyandarua) and students were also in attendance.
