The Kenya Medical Training Institute Chuka campus was on Monday officially handed over to the National government.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki handed over the institution to Health CS Susan Wafula in a ceremony attended by key stakeholders in the health sector including the KMTC CEO Kelly Oluoch.
The latest development put an end to a long-standing dispute between the two levels of government over the management of the institution.
The construction of the institution, which had stalled in 2015, has been under the jurisdiction of the county government and has been operating within the premises of Chuka University.
The Ministry of Health will now complete and equip the facility at a cost of Sh105 million to boost operations.
CS Wafula has acknowledged the key role medical institutions play in the provision of essential medical training to health professionals in the region.
“The Kenya Medical Training College Chuka campus is a step in the right direction in addressing the shortage of health professionals in the country,” Wafula said.
“The government's commitment to completing and equipping the facility will help to train a new generation of health professionals who will be better equipped to address the health needs of the population.”
According to Oluoch, the completion of the campus will enable the institution to offer quality medical training to students, who will go on to serve the community and contribute to the growth of the health sector.
The handing over of the KMTC Chuka campus is a significant milestone in the efforts to improve access to quality medical training in Kenya.
The facility will provide a much-needed boost to the health sector in the region, as well as create job opportunities for the local community.
Currently, the KMTC has more than 54,000 students undertaking Higher Diplomas, Diplomas, Certificates, and Short courses.
Kenya faces an acute shortage of nurses with just 60,000 nurses serving a population of over 50 million Kenyans.
This makes it difficult for Kenya to achieve sustainable healthcare and ensure healthy lives for all.
