Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students will soon get access to financial support through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced.
Speaking on Thursday when he graced the 94th KMTC graduation ceremony held at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, the Deputy President said the government will convene an urgent meeting with relevant ministries to finalize a funding formula that will make HELB accessible to all KMTC students.
“I have been informed by the Principal Secretary that KMTC students are not accessing HELB funding. I am convinced by the request to that effect. I will engage Health, Treasury and Education Cabinet Secretaries and other key state departments to agree on a formula because not every parent can afford to pay for their children at the KMTC. We are already supporting university and TVETs students,” Prof. Kindiki announced amid cheers.
Prof. Kindiki noted that many trainees face immense financial pressure and extending HELB support will ease the burden and ensure that no aspiring health professional fails to study because of lack of fees.
The DP used the occasion to highlight some of the far-reaching reforms in the health sector that the Ruto administration has undertaken in the last three years, ensuring that all Kenyans benefit from quality healthcare.
“Healthcare is the foundation of human dignity, the heartbeat of every nation. Over the past three years, Kenya has undertaken the most ambitious transformation of its health system,” he revealed.
During the occasion, 22,776 graduands were conferred with various certificates and diplomas.
Prof. Kindiki said that the government has ensured that Kenyans are protected from catastrophic health expenses. This has been made possible via mass registration of Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Today, unlike in 2022 when only 7.5 million Kenyans had medical cover under NHIF, as I speak today, we are just shy of 28 million Kenyans who have a medical cover and we are working in the days ahead to fine-tune and perfect the medical insurance under SHA so that it can even offer better quality services,” he noted.
He added that the government has deployed 107,000 Community Health Promoters, who form the largest primary healthcare workforce in the country, saying the professionals are the backbone of a preventive, community-centred healthcare strategy.
“KMTC’s role in this success cannot be overstated. The College trains Community Health Assistants who work hand-in-hand with Community Health Promoters (CHPs), ensuring that healthcare reaches every household. Through these efforts, KMTC strengthens the delivery of quality care in every corner of our nation,” DP stated.
The Second in Command reiterated the Ruto administration is keen in prioritising health and among the interventions is the employment of 1,000 KMTC tutors in this financial year, equipping and operationalising the 18 stalled KMTC Campuses.
“This ceremony takes place at a defining moment in our nation’s education and health reforms. This year, we have invested Kshs. 9.7 billion in KMTC to support staff recruitment, infrastructure development, equipping of classes and laboratories, personnel emoluments, and student welfare,” he noted.
The event was attended by Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni, KMTC Board of Directors led by the Chair Joseah Cheruiyot, KMTC CEO Dr Kelly Oluoch among other dignitaries.
