Boost for KMTC as President Ruto announces Sh600 million funding for staff recruitment
President Ruto also announced that KMTC students would benefit from the Higher Education Loans Board scheme in the upcoming budget.
The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) will receive a significant boost after President Ruto announced that Sh600 million will be allocated by the National Treasury in the next budget for the recruitment of 400 additional staff members.
The President made this announcement on Thursday during the commissioning of the KMTC Kerio Valley campus, where he emphasised the government's aim to strengthen the institution's training capacity in line with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
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"All the 21 KMTCs nationwide are offering Kenyans opportunities to acquire the training needed to help the government achieve its Taifa Care and Universal Health Coverage agenda. As such, we as a government have to ensure that they are well-equipped to train medical professionals," President Ruto said.
According to Ruto, the new funding will follow last year's release of Sh800 million, which facilitated the hiring of 600 new staff members, significantly enhancing the institution's training capabilities.
Besides recruitment, President Ruto also announced that KMTC students would benefit from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) scheme in the upcoming budget.
This reinstatement of funding is expected to alleviate financial burdens for many students, especially those from needy backgrounds.
"In the past KMTC students have been beneficiaries of HELB. However, budget cuts occasioned by the rejection of the Finance Bill significantly impacted the government's expenditure this year, forcing us to cut the funding. In the next financial year, it will be reinstated" he said.
Ruto also pledged to construct new hostels with a capacity of 300 to provide a conducive living environment for students.
He acknowledged the work of community health promoters (CHPs) who have been at the forefront of ensuring that citizens register for Taifa Care
"According to our data, Elgeyo Marakwet is third in SHA registration, largely because of the good work of the CHPs. As such, a partnership is underway between the national and county governments to ensure they are well taken care of," Ruto said.
