Kenya needs to train more health professionals to address a critical shortage, improve healthcare access, and ultimately achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), the Director-General of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, has said.
He maintains that this shortage leads to overworked staff, increased mortality rates, and reduced life expectancy, particularly in rural areas.
Dr Amoth quips that increased training, especially in specialised areas and for mid-level workers, is crucial for strengthening the healthcare system and improving the quality of life for citizens.
He made the sentiments when he made a courtesy call to Mount Kenya University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, through an invitation by the University’s College of Health Sciences.
Dr Amoth noted that the country faces a significant shortage of healthcare professionals across various cadres, including doctors, nurses, and specialists.
“This shortage is particularly acute in rural and underserved areas, hindering access to essential healthcare services,” he said.
He noted that by investing in training, Kenya can move closer to providing equitable and affordable healthcare for all its citizens, adding that the realisation of UHC requires a well-trained and adequately staffed healthcare workforce.
“A well-trained and adequately sized health workforce is the backbone of a strong healthcare system. By investing in training, Kenya can improve the quality of care, reduce health disparities, and build a more resilient health system,” he quipped.
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He highlighted the challenges facing the scope of practice of oral health graduates, internship challenges for Dental Technologists and community oral health officers. “This is why we will support higher learning institutions and especially MKU with advice when launching new programmes like Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery , which is in the pipeline,” The Director General said.
While appraising the DG through various health programmes offered at the college, VC Jaganyi reiterated that the university is committed to training healthcare professionals as well as complying with relevant regulatory agencies.
The VC briefed Dr Amoth on the university’s collaboration with JICA in the malaria elimination project, in which Japan constructed a Malaria Elimination Centre for Sh 100 million.
“We also have a synergetic public-private partnership with the Kiambu County Government at Thika Level 5 Hospital, where the University has constructed a Funeral home cum Anatomy laboratory at a cost of Ksh. Three hundred million and renovated a Dental clinic at the hospital as part of the university’s Community engagement initiatives,” the VC noted.
The Director General later toured the university laboratories and the Thika Level Five Dental Clinic.
MKU College of Health Sciences comprises five schools: the Medical School, School of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health.
By John Kamau
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