State and Vasity linkage to bolster training healthcare professionals

Director General of Public Health Dr. Patrick Amoth urged institutions of higher learning to invest in health education and infrastructure, to address human resource gaps in the healthcare sector, one of the four pillars of UHC.

Speaking during a courtesy call to MKU’s Thika main campus, Dr. Amoth noted increase in cases of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis among youth calling for long-term planning that integrates training, prevention, and treatment strategies.

He also expressed concern about the limited scope of practice for oral health graduates and internship challenges facing dental technologists and community oral health officers.

“We have made significant progress in implementing Universal Health Coverage, but one of the biggest challenges remains the shortage of trained healthcare professionals, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Universities like MKU are essential partners in bridging that gap,” Dr. Amoth said.

He further said the UHC agenda in Kenya rests on four key pillars: healthcare financing, service delivery systems, health information systems, and human resources for health.

Dr. Amoth emphasised that collaboration with institutions of higher learning is crucial, particularly in the training and recruitment of the health workforce.

“MKU must continue consulting the Ministry of Health when mounting new health programmes. This will ensure alignment with national standards and the actual needs of our healthcare system,” he said.

These issues, he noted, need to be addressed through policy adjustments and greater coordination between the Ministry and institutions.

“Resolving these challenges will not only improve service delivery but also strengthen the morale and career pathways of our healthcare professionals,” he said.

Dr. Amoth pledged the Ministry’s support for MKU’s planned launch of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme, saying the government was ready to offer technical advice to ensure it meets the required standards.

The meeting explored areas of collaboration aimed at improving training, research, and community health interventions.

Dr. Amoth was accompanied by senior Ministry of Health officials during the visit, which included a tour of the university’s state-of-the-art health training facilities and ongoing research initiatives.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi and other university leaders, following an invitation from the MKU College of Health Sciences.

He said the university and the Ministry of Health have partnered in healthcare training and service delivery, with a focus on achieving Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals by 2030.

As part of its community engagement strategy, MKU has partnered with the Kiambu County Government to improve health infrastructure at Thika Level 5 Hospital.

The university constructed a Sh300 million funeral home-cum-anatomy laboratory and renovated the hospital’s dental clinic to enhance practical training and public service delivery.

“These projects demonstrate our commitment to not only train healthcare workers but also invest in real-world solutions that improve community health outcomes,” said Prof. Jaganyi.

The VC noted that MKU’s two ultra-modern nursing skills laboratories, equipped with high-fidelity manikins, an operating theatre, and other advanced teaching models.

These high-tech simulators offer students a dynamic and tactile learning environment by replicating real-life patient scenarios.

“High-fidelity simulation in medical training improves the readiness of our graduates to handle real-world emergencies and complex procedures,” said Dr. Josephat Njuguna, Principal of the MKU College of Health Sciences.

The college, which comprises five schools Medical School, School of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health has become a major training hub for healthcare professionals in the region.

Prof. Jaganyi reaffirmed the university’s commitment to offering quality training that meets both local and international regulatory standards.

“MKU is dedicated to training competent healthcare professionals who can meet Kenya’s healthcare needs while also addressing global health challenges,” he said.

He added that the university continues to partner with industry players and institutions globally to enhance practical learning opportunities for students.

MKU also is collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Osaka University in malaria research.

In 2020, the two universities secured a Sh450 million joint grant from JICA for malaria elimination efforts in Homa Bay County and the training of health personnel.

A portion of the grant has been used to establish the Centre for Malaria Elimination at MKU’s Thika campus. The centre houses a cutting-edge laboratory focused on malaria diagnostics, drug resistance monitoring, and vector control strategies.

“This facility is not just about research. It is about empowering communities and building local capacity to tackle malaria using science and innovation,” said Dr. Njuguna.

Dr. Amoth commended MKU for its integrated approach to health education, which combines academic excellence with public health interventions and infrastructure development. “Such models should be replicated across the country,” he said.

As Kenya intensifies its push toward UHC, the partnership between the Ministry of Health and academic institutions like MKU will be critical in building a resilient and responsive healthcare system.

“The road to Universal Health Coverage is not just about facilities and policies it is about people. Training more competent, well-equipped health workers is central to that goal,” Dr. Amoth added.