CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch addressing the conference
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) CEO, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, lauded the Kenya Clinical Officers Association (KCOA) for championing the recognition of clinical officers across Africa and the United Kingdom (UK).
The Kenyan Clinical Officers have received official recognition from the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC), allowing them to register and practice as Physician Associates (PAs) in the UK.
Speaking during the 6th Nairobi Region Clinical Officers Scientific Symposium, Dr. Oluoch termed the recognition a “game-changer” that will unlock global opportunities for clinical officers.
“This international recognition affirms the high standards of training and service delivery upheld by clinical officers and institutions like KMTC,” he said.
He reaffirmed the College’s commitment to producing competent health professionals aligned with national and global health priorities.
Nairobi Deputy Governor, Mr. James Njoroge Muchiri, applauded clinical officers for their essential role in implementing the Social Health Authority (SHA) vision, which seeks to scale up Universal Health Coverage through affordable and accessible primary healthcare.
“As a county, we acknowledge your frontline contribution to disease prevention and management. Embracing SHA will help improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease,” he noted.
KCOA President, Mr. Moses Konde, thanked KMTC for its continuous support in training clinical officers. He revealed ongoing engagements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to standardize and unify clinician identities globally.
A presentation by Ms. Damallyne Apoda, a KMTC student at Gatundu Campus, sparked discussion on recruitment disparities in the health sector.
“Why do nurses get the lion’s share of public health job vacancies while clinical officers are sidelined? We must ensure equal opportunities for all cadres,” she urged.
The College remains a key partner in health workforce development and policy discourse, supporting professional growth, research, and innovation among clinical officers.
Accompanying the CEO at the event were Deputy Director, Academics, Dr. Nyawira Mwangi; Deputy Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Hezron Ochiel; Deputy Registrar, Curriculum, Mr. David Wafula; Head of Clinical Medicine Department, Mr. Felix Mutua; and other senior officers.
