Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students have received a major boost after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the scrapping of compulsory practical attachment fees charged at public hospitals. The announcement was made during the 8th Biennial KMTC Scientific Conference held at the institution’s headquarters in Nairobi.
Duale confirmed that the directive would take immediate effect, beginning with Level Six hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital — all facilities under the Ministry of Health.
“One of the issues raised by the leadership, the board, and the management was the clinical services and rotations for which our students are charged when they visit public hospitals. That will no longer happen,” Duale stated.
He criticised the inconsistency in current attachment fee structures across the country, noting that some hospitals charge as much as Sh10,000, while others ask for as little as Sh1,000. The CS questioned the rationale for these fees, especially considering that students contribute significantly to service delivery during their clinical rotations.
For facilities outside the ministry’s jurisdiction, Duale pledged to engage with the Council of Governors to explore a harmonised approach. He stressed the importance of equity in training costs, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who also struggle with accommodation and transport expenses.
This move addresses a long-standing concern among KMTC students and education advocates who have decried the financial burden created by attachment fees. The decision is seen as a step towards ensuring more inclusive and accessible medical training in Kenya.
CS Duale also used the occasion to reaffirm the ministry’s commitment to supporting KMTC as a key institution in producing quality healthcare professionals. However, he cautioned against the uncontrolled proliferation of health-related courses in other institutions, warning that competence must not be sacrificed for expansion.
“KMTC must remain a centre of excellence focused on producing competent, service-ready professionals. We will not allow institutions to become part of the problem,” he concluded.
This policy shift marks a significant win for students and is expected to enhance trust and order in the health training ecosystem.
