Kenyatta University signs medical training pact with MKU

Mount Kenya University (MKU) medical students will now access training facilities at the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) following the signing of a partnership between the two institutions.

A collaboration agreement signed by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi and KUTRRH Chief Executive Ahmed Dagane has already seen 42 MKU medical sciences placed for clinical attachments.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Dagane said key areas earmarked for strengthening through the MoU are training, capacity building and internships for health workers and students in both institutions.

He said the pact with MKU was in line with the Level 6 Referral hospital’s mandate as a training facility for medical students from across the country.

Additionally, some MKU students on attachment at the KU hospital in recent past for attachment in ICT were recruited to offer their services at KUTRRH as employees. Plans are also underway to conduct joint workshops in key areas of health including non-communicable and infectious diseases that will be co-hosted.

“Other key areas of partnership include access to specialized care at KUTRRH for MKU staff, collaboration in research and innovation promotion of engagement for sustainable development goals among others,” said the CEO.

Prof Jaganyi said the collaboration is an indicator that local institutions can work together to achieve their goals.

“We make mistakes by traveling to foreign countries to look for collaboration, yet the best collaborator is just next door,” said the VC who was accompanied by Prof Peter Wanderi, who is in charge of Training and Linkages at MKU.

Prof Jaganyi said the university has also partnered with the Referral Hospital in cancer research and other medical fields.

“Let us get the best out of this deal because we believe KUTRRH has cutting edge facilities that our medical students will use to train,” he said.

“The presence of our two institutions this afternoon in this room is a demonstration of a shared commitment to work together in serving the society through medical research and training for promotion of the medical service as a common good,” added the VC.

The VC said MKU has a student population of more than 60,000 across its campuses, which offers the basis for more collaboration with KUTRRH and colleges in Africa and beyond.

He commented Prof Wanderi and his team for tirelessly working towards achieving the training partnership with the referral hospital.

“Our Principal, College of Health Sciences and his team of five Deans of Schools are eagerly waiting for this agreement to be signed so that their students and staff can start using this faculty for attachments and internships,” said Prof Jaganyi.

The MKU training pact with KUTRRH which is renewable after every three years takes effect immediately.