Duale Reaffirms Support for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Warns Against Unregulated Health Courses
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has reaffirmed the Ministry of Health's full support for the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), while issuing a strong caution against the unchecked expansion of health-related courses across the country.
Speaking during the official opening of the 8th Biennial KMTC Scientific Conference at the institution's headquarters in Nairobi, Hon. Duale stressed that KMTC must remain a centre of excellence focused on producing competent, service-ready professionals.
'KMTC will not offer credentials without competence,' said the Cabinet Secretary. 'We will not allow institutions to become part of the problem. All training programmes must be aligned to the evolving needs of public health in Kenya.'
The conference, themed 'Advancing Equity in a Rapidly Changing Environment,' convened stakeholders from the health sector, academia, and research institutions to share innovations and strategies for improving health training and service delivery. The forum is a critical platform in Kenya's ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This was Hon. Duale's inaugural visit to KMTC since assuming office as Health Cabinet Secretary. During a consultative meeting with the Board and senior management, he underscored the need for accountability, transparency, and integrity in the training of the country's health workforce. He urged KMTC leadership to continuously review and align course offerings to national health priorities.
As part of the visit, Hon. Duale flagged off five double cabin vehicles to be distributed across five KMTC campuses. The vehicles are expected to ease student access to clinical training sites, enhance supervision, and support community-based service delivery.
Hon. Duale was hosted by KMTC Board Chairperson Mr. Joseah Cheruiyot, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch, and Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
South Sudan: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Ministry of Health launch newly constructed neonatal ward at Aweil State Hospital to improve care for sick newborns and premature babies
Seeking to improve access to medical care for sick, low birth weight, and premature babies in South Sudan's Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and South Sudan's Ministry of Health on 4 June 2025 opened a newly-built 40-bed neonatal inpatient ward at Aweil State Hospital. The new structure replaces the former 33-bed neonatal ward, which was frequently overcrowded with over 45 babies admitted at once and lacked enough room for critical care like resuscitation. "We had a neonatal ward, but it was always full or over its capacity," says Denis Mbae, MSF project coordinator for Aweil. "This new building, which is also closer to the maternity ward, will limit the distance that mothers have to walk to breastfeed their babies, while holding better equipment and amenities. "The new ward has increased capacity and improved design, with necessary space for incubators and life-support equipment to better support vulnerable infants whose vital organs may not be fully developed. Mothers will also have dedicated space for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), promoting skin-to-skin contact vital for low-birth-weight infants, which has proven to help improve health outcomes of babies in this condition. This specialized unit, the only one of its kind in the state, offers spacious environments designed for infection prevention, improved monitoring, and better working conditions for staff. The building will also provide a space for neonates under one roof, allowing for better follow-up and monitoring. MSF has supported Aweil State Hospital since 2008, providing paediatric and maternity services in a region where many people face challenges accessing timely care due to limited peripheral health services and difficulty in finding proper transportation. In 2024, MSF assisted in delivery of 7,664 babies at Aweil State Hospital. The upgrade reinforces MSF's commitment to enhancing access to health care for better outcomes for vulnerable families in South Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Ethiopia Secures Global Laboratory Accreditation to Boost Animal Products, and Inputs Quality and Safety
In a major stride towards enhancing public health and regional trade, the Animal Products and Inputs Quality Testing Center (APIQTC) under the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) has officially earned ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. This international certification, awarded on 25 April 2025 during a high-level event at Haile Grand Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recognized the Center's capacity to perform laboratory tests to globally accepted standards. This milestone strengthens Ethiopia's ability to ensure the safety and quality of animal products and inputs, prevent and contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and safeguard human, animal, and environmental health through a One Health approach. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 confirms the APIQTC's technical competence in performing on thirteen parameters on veterinary pharmaceutical quality; Aflatoxin residue monitoring in animal source food and feed, and microbiological analysis. These functions are vital for independently verifying animal products and inputs quality and adherence to international trade requirements and supporting public confidence. In a country where livestock plays a central role in the economy, such capabilities are indispensable for market access, trade, and sustainable agricultural development. FAO's Strategic Role The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ethiopia was recognized during the ceremony for its long-standing health system strengthening support of the regulatory frameworks and laboratory capacity of APIQTC. FAO's technical and logistical assistance was instrumental in achieving this global standard. Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Girma Amente, praised the achievement during the event, stating that, 'ISO accreditation is critical for Ethiopia's agricultural sustainability and public health security. This international recognition reflects our commitment to quality assurance and our readiness to meet global food safety standards.' Looking Ahead More than a technical certification, this accreditation marks a turning point for Ethiopia's livestock and agriculture sectors. It signals the country's growing capacity to independently ensure animal products and inputs safety and quality, mitigate Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) threats, and meet the demands of markets. Aligned with FAO's global vision for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, this achievement positions Ethiopia to move forward with confidence toward sustainable agrifood systems transformation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Kenya: Amb. Guo Haiyan Paid a Courtesy Call on Hon. CS Hannah Cheptumo
On June 4, Amb. Guo Haiyan paid a courtesy call on Hon. Hannah Cheptumo, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage. Amb. Guo congratulated Cheptumo on her appointment as CS for Gender, Culture, The Arts and and Heritage, and pointed out that H.E. President William Ruto's state visit to China in April was a complete success. The two sides agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era. Strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation is an indispensable part of building the community. The two sides will jointly host the 2025 China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, which is believed to further deepen the cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries and inject important impetus into building an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era. Cheptumo expressed her expectation to work with the Chinese colleagues to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote the further deepening and development of China-Kenya relations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya.
