The Kenya Association of Health Care Support Assistants (KAHSA) has called on the government to intensify enforcement against institutions offering substandard medical training, warning that their continued operation is producing inadequately trained personnel and endangering patient safety.
Speaking to the media in Thika, KAHSA Secretary General Rina Ndeta raised alarm over the increasing number of colleges failing to meet required training standards. She noted that some institutions are drastically shortening caregiver courses, which are officially designed to run for six months.
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Ndeta revealed that in extreme cases, certain colleges are compressing the training into as little as three weeks, significantly compromising the quality and depth of skills imparted to students.
While acknowledging recent efforts by authorities to shut down non-compliant institutions and prosecute their operators, the association said many unregistered colleges remain in operation.
According to Ndeta, these institutions continue to lure unsuspecting students with promises of quick certification and rapid entry into the job market.
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KAHSA officials cautioned that the appeal of shortened programmes is attracting learners eager for fast employment, often at the expense of proper training and adherence to professional standards.
The association’s Patron, Dennis Oketch, underscored the need for prospective students to verify the accreditation status of training institutions before enrolling. He warned that any programme falling short of the stipulated duration should raise concern.
“Caregiver training should take six months, while health care support assistant courses are meant to run for one year. Any programme shorter than this does not meet the required standards,” Oketch stated.
He added that KAHSA has formally raised these concerns with regulatory authorities and the institutions involved, urging swift intervention.
“We have consistently highlighted these issues, and it is now incumbent upon the relevant authorities to act. The government must move decisively to shut down illegal colleges and hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
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Oketch also pointed to the rise of unlicensed recruitment agencies targeting graduates with false promises of overseas job opportunities, warning that many victims have lost substantial sums of money.
KAHSA Deputy Secretary General Francis Waihiga echoed the call for vigilance, urging parents and prospective students to conduct due diligence when selecting training institutions. He emphasized the importance of enrolling only in accredited colleges to avoid financial losses and wasted time.
The association is now pushing for stricter regulation and increased public awareness to protect students and uphold the integrity of the health care support profession.
By Felix Wanderi
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