Thousands of aspiring health workers are a step closer to receiving crucial financial aid after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced a major policy shift to include Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students in the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) program. The move addresses a long-standing request from the nation's largest medical training institution and is seen as fundamental to the government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

This decision paves the way for affordable training for the very people tasked with delivering healthcare at the grassroots. Speaking at the 94th KMTC graduation ceremony in Nairobi, the Deputy President confirmed he will convene a meeting next week with the Ministries of Health, Education, and the National Treasury. The goal is to establish a "practical and sustainable rollout mechanism" to formalize the funding.

“Not every parent can afford KMTC tuition. Just as we support university and TVET students, KMTC students deserve the same support,” Kindiki stated, acknowledging the significant financial pressure faced by many trainees.

Bolstering Universal Health Coverage

The government views this initiative as central to the success of its UHC plan, which aims to provide equitable and quality healthcare for all citizens. KMTC is a cornerstone of this strategy, producing over 85% of the country's mid-level health workforce who are essential for primary healthcare delivery. “To facilitate effective implementation of the Universal Health Coverage, KMTC will play a pivotal role in the training of medical staff and community health promoters,” the Deputy President noted.

The move to fund students is coupled with a broader investment in the institution's capacity. The government has also announced a KES 1 billion plan to operationalize 18 new KMTC campuses across the country. This expansion is designed to increase training capacity and absorb a larger intake of students, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled health professionals for the nation.

A Long-Awaited Lifeline

For years, KMTC students have been excluded from the primary HELB loan products available to their university and TVET counterparts, creating a significant barrier for those from less privileged backgrounds. The annual fees for regular students at KMTC can range from KES 78,000 to over KES 82,000, a substantial sum for many Kenyan families. This new funding arrangement is expected to alleviate this burden and prevent qualified students from abandoning their studies due to financial hardship.

The key outcomes of the upcoming inter-ministerial meeting will be to determine the specifics of the funding model. Key details to be ironed out include:

• The eligibility criteria for KMTC students.
• The total amount of loan to be allocated per student.
• The repayment terms and interest rates.

While the final details are yet to be hammered out, the announcement signals a clear commitment from the government to strengthen the healthcare workforce from the ground up. As the nation moves towards realizing its Vision 2030 goals, ensuring a well-trained and adequately supported health sector remains a top priority.