Thousands of students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) are set to begin accessing loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) following a major government policy announcement. The move is intended to prevent qualified trainees from abandoning their studies due to financial hardship.

This decision addresses a critical gap in student financing, placing medical trainees on par with their university and TVET counterparts. For families struggling with the cost of living, this policy shift directly impacts their ability to educate their children for essential roles in the healthcare sector, a cornerstone of the nation's development.

A Lifeline for Aspiring Medics

Speaking at the 94th KMTC graduation ceremony at Kasarani Stadium, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed the government's commitment. "Not every parent can afford to pay for their children at KMTC," Kindiki noted, acknowledging the significant financial pressure on trainees. He announced that an urgent meeting between the Ministries of Health, Education, and the National Treasury will be convened to finalize a funding formula.

The exclusion of KMTC students from HELB had placed a heavy burden on many, forcing them to rely on limited options like the Afya Elimu Fund, a loan-only facility. With annual fees for regular students ranging from approximately KES 78,000 to KES 82,200, the lack of government-backed loans was a significant barrier.

Bolstering Health Reforms

This initiative is woven into the government's broader agenda to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The DP emphasized that the Ruto administration has undertaken an ambitious transformation of the health system over the past three years. This includes deploying over 100,000 Community Health Promoters and investing KES 9.7 billion in KMTC this year alone to support staffing and infrastructure.

The government's plan also includes:

• Employing 1,000 new KMTC tutors this financial year.
• Operationalising 18 previously stalled KMTC campuses nationwide.
• Expanding medical insurance coverage to nearly 28 million Kenyans.

KMTC is a critical pillar in this strategy, supplying over 85% of the mid-level healthcare workforce in Kenya from its 90-plus campuses. The graduation ceremony saw 22,776 newly qualified health professionals released into the workforce.

As the new funding model is developed, it is expected to align with the student-centered approach recently adopted for universities, which considers both the course cost and the student's financial need. This ensures that the most vulnerable students receive the greatest support, strengthening the pipeline of healthcare workers essential for a healthy nation.