KMTC students to start accessing Helb loans after final talks next week
Kindiki told graduates during KMTC’s 94th ceremony on Thursday that the government had accepted the college’s request to be included in the Helb programme.
Plans to begin issuing Helb loans to students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) are set to be completed next week, after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed that the final meeting to clear the rollout is already scheduled.
He said the move will open access to financial support for thousands of trainees who have, for years, relied on limited funding options.
More To Read
- Kenya, US sign Sh208 billion health cooperation deal to transform to strengthen primary care, services
- Senate targets KEMSA in plan to turn devolved institutions into executive agencies
- Activist moves to appeal ruling on judges’ recusal in Kindiki ouster case
- Chief Justice Koome calls for stronger East Africa judicial collaboration
- Young people must lead HIV fight, says PS Ouma Oluga
- KMTC leadership questioned over Sh2.1 billion pension gap, unresolved debts
Kindiki told graduates during KMTC’s 94th ceremony on Thursday that the government had accepted the college’s request to be included in the Helb programme.
He noted that he will sit with teams from the Health, Education and Treasury ministries to agree on how the support will be implemented and ensure students can start applying once the framework is in place.
The Deputy President said the country is still struggling with a wide gap in the health sector workforce despite producing new graduates every year.
Kenya has 230,000 workers in the sector, far below the required 310,000, leaving a shortfall of about 80,000 across hospitals, health centres and community units.
He said building a strong health system is key to driving nationwide growth, adding that the government is working to create more openings for medical professionals both at home and in foreign markets.
According to Kindiki, a job placement plan is already helping health workers secure opportunities in countries such as Canada.
On health coverage, he said more Kenyans are now protected from high medical expenses, with the number of people registered under the new social health insurance model rising from 7.5 million in 2022 to nearly 28 million today.
He added that the introduction of the Social Health Authority will give households better access to care across the country.
"Partnerships to provide medical equipment kits and improvements in the medical supply chain are underway to ensure medicines and other supplies reach hospitals and health centres on time and in the right quantities," the DP said.
He also highlighted the rollout of 107,000 Community Health Promoters, noting that they are now working in all 1,250 wards and play a central role in preventing disease and supporting families at the community level.
They are supported by Community Health Assistants trained at KMTC.
Kindiki added that young people seeking jobs abroad can tap into small grants provided through the Youth Enterprise Fund to help them meet requirements and gain experience before coming back to work locally.
He also announced that the government will activate 18 new KMTC campuses, a Sh1 billion investment aimed at increasing the number of students admitted and reducing the national health worker shortage.
He praised the college for its role in the sector, saying it produces 80 per cent of Kenya’s middle-level medical staff.
"The college bridges the gap between policy and practice, making service delivery in the health sector a reality," he said.
Top Stories Today
