Kilifi County is set to get a new KMTC Campus in Malindi next to the Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital.
KMTC Board Chairman Prof. Kaloki confirmed this during a meeting held in the Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital on August 29th, 2019, between the KMTC Board, officials from the Hospital and the County’s Health Department.
In the recent past, the College headed by the Board of Directors embarked on a plan to expand infrastructure in its campuses across the country while setting up new ones, so at to provide access to health training opportunities. This is in line with the College’s strategic plan and theme on transformative training and research towards achievement of the Universal Health Coverage goals.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Kaloki reiterated the commitment of the Board to bring to fruition the idea to establishing the new Campus that was conceived three years ago. “This will be the second Campus in the County and is part of continued efforts by the College to support strengthening of health care systems in the county and country at large,” he said.
The current KMTC Kilifi Campus is located in Kilifi Town next to Kilifi County Referral and Teaching Hospital. It was established in 1987 and was offering training in Medical Engineering, with an aim of solving the problem of maintenance and repair of hospital and medical equipment used for clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic care in hospitals and health centres in Kenya. The Campus has over 700 students pursuing Higher Diploma, Diploma and Certificate level courses in Nursing, Medical Engineering and Clinical Medicine & Surgery.
The Chairman said that construction of the new Campus would soon begin with an aim to having the first admissions in March 2020.
In line with this, he added that programs mounted in the Campus would be tailored to address health challenges within the County and the neighboring areas.
Prof. Kaloki thanked the County Government, led by Governor Amason Kingi for the cooperation and support towards establishment of the new Campus. To ensure the County benefits from the new Campus, Prof. Kaloki said that 30 percent of admissions slots to the Campus would be reserved for qualified applicants from the County.
A percentage of admission slots are reserved for local residents as it is expected that they will train in the County and undertake their clinical placement within. During training at practical clinical sites, trainees offer vital support in the hospitals and health centres they are attached to by offering medical support to patients. After their qualification from the College, it is expected that the medical professionals will be retained in the County and offer services to the residents.
Speaking on behalf of the Hospital management, Ag. Sub-county Medical officer of Health in Malindi Ms. Emily Karisa, said the area residents were eagerly awaiting the establishment of the Campus as it will not only provide training opportunities for their children, but will also open up the area to more development.
The Chairman was accompanied by Board Director Mithamo Muchiri and CEO Prof. Michael Kiptoo. Others present were Malindi Sub-County Public Health Officer Mr. Ahmad Abdalla, Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital Administrative Officer Mr. Baraka Baya and Deputy Nursing Officer in charge of the Hospital Ms. Maimuna Riungu.
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