KMTC To Recall Final Year Students To Finish Their Studies And Join COVID-19 Workforce

In a bid to boost the workforce in the country as COVID-19 ravages, the education ministry is considering incorporating final year students in the pool.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has given the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) a go ahead to recall the final year students from all the 71 satellite campuses across the country.

This come as a good news to over 7,800 students who had finalized their studies and were set to graduate in December.

Magoha also allowed nine universities offering medical courses to recall their final year students to undertake their mandatory clinical examinations but under strict guidelines.

“In light of the Covid-19 situation which has precipitated an urgent need to train and assess medical students to support the dearth in adequate healthcare personnel to fight the pandemic, consideration has been given to the request for face-to-face learning and assessment of medical students.

“This is further informed by a physical inspection of facilities to ascertain the level of preparedness for resumption of face-to-face learning,” reads Prof Magoha’s letter to the vice chancellors of University of Nairobi, Mount Kenya University, Moi University, Egerton University, Kenya Methodist University, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and technology, Maseno University and Uzima University.

KMTC’s CEO Prof. Michael Kiptoo has disclosed that students will undertake the four to six weeks programme at medical facilities nearest to their residence and will not have to travel to the campuses where they study. This is in an effort to reduce movement and the spread of Covid-19. The students will be provided with protective personal equipment (PPE) for use while interning at the medical facilities.

“The examinations for these students will be done in the same way. We will have them delivered to the nearest centres as we have a nationwide reach.”