In summary: KMTC Students No Longer Face Attachment Fees.
In a significant announcement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has declared the elimination of mandatory practical attachment fees for students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
During his address at the 8th Biennial Scientific Conference held at KMTC’s headquarters in Nairobi, the CS revealed that the first step will involve scrapping fees charged at Level Six hospitals, including prominent facilities like Kenyatta Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, among others under his ministry’s jurisdiction.
“One of the concerns raised by our leadership, board, and management was the fees imposed on students for clinical services and rotations at public hospitals. This practice will cease,” CS Duale stated.
He pointed out the inconsistencies in attachment fees across various institutions, highlighting that while some hospitals demand as much as Sh10,000, others, such as Garissa County, charge only Sh1,000, with some even at Sh2,000.
Duale challenged the rationale behind these fees, stressing that students play a vital role in delivering healthcare services during their attachments.
For hospitals outside his direct control, CS Duale pledged to engage with the Council of Governors to address the issue. However, he assured that he would take direct action to standardize fees at Level Six hospitals, aiming to build trust and order within the healthcare sector.
This decision tackles a persistent hurdle faced by KMTC students, who typically shell out between Sh2,000 and Sh10,000, or sometimes even more, for their hospital attachments. Such fees often pose a financial strain, particularly for students from less privileged backgrounds, who also have to manage additional expenses for accommodation and transportation.
Duale reiterated the Ministry of Health’s unwavering support for KMTC while issuing a stern warning against the unchecked proliferation of health-related courses nationwide.
He emphasized the importance of KMTC maintaining its status as a hub of excellence dedicated to cultivating skilled, job-ready professionals.
“KMTC will not issue credentials without ensuring competence,” the Cabinet Secretary asserted. “We will not permit institutions to contribute to the problem. All training programs must align with the evolving demands of public health in Kenya.” He said.
