Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is a leader in development of Human Resource for Health (HRH) in Africa and the largest producer of Clinical Officers in the Country. This was reported by the KMTC Board Chairman Prof. Philip Kaloki, MBS, at the 21st Kenya Clinical Officer’s Association (KCOA) and 7th Association of African Network of Clinical Practitioners Annual Scientific Conference, going on at Pride Inn Paradise Beach resort in Mombasa from 18th – 20th September, 2019.
The Annual Scientific Conference brings together the largest international gathering of medical practitioners providing primary health care, researchers, scientists, and trainers in the health sector. It provides a platform for sharing global perspectives and high quality scientific discussion as well as evaluate recent advances and emerging issues on patient care focusing on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
While declaring the event officially opened, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Chief Guest Dr. Rashid Abdi Aman commended Clinical Officers for being drivers of primary health care in the country. He noted that preventive and promotive health care is the way to go and reiterated commitment of the Ministry of Health’s focus of strengthening primary health care.
“I am glad to note that KMTC, with its spread and kind of courses it offers, will play a vital role in plugging the human resource for health gaps that continue to be a challenge for the Country.” He noted that the College plays a key role in provision of health care as students support other health workers in the health facilities even as they train. “The cadres you train, sit in a very important place,” he added.
The Kenya Clinical Officers Association & the Clinical Officers Council in collaboration with KMTC has provided continuous learning and professional development opportunities to many Clinical Officers. This has contributed in alleviating scarcity of trained professional healthcare clinicians in Kenya and beyond.
Clinical Officers provide critical healthcare support including general and specialized medical duties such as diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injury, interpreting medical tests and performing routine medical and surgical procedures, without which, treatment process would not be complete.
Speaking during the conference, Prof. Kaloki said “KMTC being the only government mid-level institution mandated to train health professionals, is strategically positioned to support realization of UHC goals for the Ministry of Health and Government.” He added that the College recognizes Clinical Officers as central in achieving UHC.
He further affirmed that KMTC supports realization of UHC goals through offering programs geared towards promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services. The College has increased access to health care through training for HRH, medical camps, attachment, rural experience, disability mainstreaming e.g. sign language course, internships among others.
The College’s national distribution has provided access to world class health training opportunities. The strategic placement next to referral hospitals linking KMTC Campuses to over 450 clinical training sites across the country, has increased access to comprehensive health care, supported provision of health services at family level and hard to reach areas in all 47 Counties.
Prof. Kaloki reported that “in the last five years, the College has released over 7,000 Clinical Officers to the local and international markets. This year alone, the College is expected to churn out about 2,200 fresh Clinical Officers in its 87th Annual Graduation Ceremony to be held in December this year.
”Clinical Medicine has a current student population of 6,668 in the 38 KMTC Campuses currently offering the course out of the 68 KMTC campuses spread across the country. By September 2020, the College intends to expand Clinical Medicine training to four additional campuses.
This year’s Scientific Conference was held with a view of bringing to the forefront challenges and proposed solutions in UHC relevant to Kenya and other developing countries.
KMTC Board Director Mr. Mithamo Muchiri accompanied the Chairman to the event.
