Health facilities across Migori County are grappling with capacity limitations that could restrict the expansion of academic offerings at KMTC, as inadequate infrastructure and equipment continue to impact students’ practical training.

The issue came to light during the official handover of a bus to the KMTC Awendo Campus, where key stakeholders emphasized that the institution relies heavily on well-equipped regional hospitals to facilitate practical sessions before launching new programs.

KMTC Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch noted that while the Awendo Campus currently runs three programs, plans are in motion to introduce Nursing and Clinical Medicine.

He, however, emphasized that academic expansion relies strictly on the availability of suitable clinical learning environments.

Dr Oluoch explained that the college is working closely with the County Government of Migori to upgrade the Awendo Health Facility to a level where students can practice effectively, clarifying that the growth and introduction of new courses across KMTC campuses are directly linked to access to health facilities rated Level 4 and above.

Expanding boundaries

The push for upgraded clinical infrastructure comes at a time when KMTC is striving to broaden educational opportunities for youth within Migori County and surrounding areas.

Dr Oluoch acknowledged that the local county government has been supportive by seconding staff members to KMTC campuses and granting students access to clinical attachments without extra charges.

Migori County presently hosts three distinct KMTC campuses: Awendo, Migori, and Kuria.

The Awendo Campus officially admitted its pioneer cohort in 2023, following a foundation stone laying ceremony in 2018, and management now aims to scale up program offerings as soon as clinical facilities and training capacities meet required standards.

Awendo Member of Parliament Walter Owino highlighted that the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) stepped in to fund the vehicle following a direct request from the college management to improve student mobility to satellite sites and regional health centers.

MP Owino noted that purchasing the bus was a deliberate move to help the institution qualify for additional academic programs, sharing his hope that the college will grant more programs so that more local students can be admitted.

He added that the Awendo NG-CDF had previously fully sponsored the initial batch of 50 students enrolled at the campus to demonstrate strong local backing.

KMTC Board Chairperson Josrah Cheruiyot explained that the bus serves as a mobile classroom, enhancing community outreach and allowing students to seamlessly travel to field placements to translate theoretical lessons into practical skills.

Underlining the broader picture, KMTC Board member Dr Hezron Omolo noted that developing a robust health workforce represents one of the four essential pillars required to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), alongside health products and technologies, healthcare financing, and digital health initiatives.

Dr Omolo stressed that every stakeholder must actively participate in strengthening the health workforce to ensure effective public healthcare delivery.

These clinical training bottlenecks paints the urgency of equipping local medical centers with modern equipment and proper facilities needed during practical instruction.

Consequently, KMTC views its ongoing partnerships with both national and county leaders as pivotal to securing quality clinical learning spaces.