Include KMTC Students in Helb funding scheme: KMTC Boss pleads

Include KMTC Students in Helb funding scheme: KMTC Boss pleads

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, appeared before a joint sitting of the Parliamentary Committees on Health and Education on Thursday, April 24, to advocate for the inclusion of KMTC students in the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding scheme.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings, Dr. Oluoch emphasized the urgent need for equitable financing of health education, placing KMTC students on the same footing as their counterparts in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

“As a College, we have consistently appealed for the inclusion of our students in the HELB funding program,” he said.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Dr. Oluoch informed lawmakers that 34 percent of students admitted to KMTC fail to report due to financial constraints. A further 27 percent, he added, begin their training but are forced to discontinue midway for the same reason.

Currently, the College is grappling with unpaid student fees amounting to Kshs. 1.54 billion, underscoring the magnitude of the funding crisis,” he noted.

Dr. Oluoch appealed to Parliament to view investment in health training as a strategic imperative.

“The sustainability of our healthcare system and the success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) depend on continuous investment in the training of healthcare professionals,” he said.

“Addressing funding gaps will reduce student dropout rates and enhance the efficiency of public resource utilization.” He added.

He urged lawmakers to take decisive action and support, including KMTC students, in the national student financing framework.

The College’s appearance was made upon invitation by the Ministry of Health.