The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Burnt Forest Campus in Uasin Gishu County has officially been commissioned, marking a major stride toward enhancing equitable access to health training and services in Kenya. The new campus is part of the Kenya Kwanza Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and is aligned with the country’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The commissioning of the campus is expected to significantly benefit underserved communities by bringing both medical education and health services closer to the grassroots. The initiative underscores the government’s focus on inclusivity and capacity building within the health sector.
The operationalization of the campus has been made possible through a strong partnership involving the national and county governments, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), and the local community. The County Government of Uasin Gishu contributed by seconding medical tutors, reflecting a coordinated approach to advancing the health sector. The importance of such partnerships aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 17, which emphasizes collaboration in achieving development goals.
A key highlight of the event was the testimonies from beneficiaries of the Social Health Authority (SHA), with one local resident sharing a life-changing experience of undergoing heart surgery worth KES 3.9 million at no cost. Such examples underscore SHA’s expanding role in improving healthcare access and affordability for ordinary citizens.
The local community expressed satisfaction with the Ministry of Health’s leadership, citing restored confidence in public health systems and adherence to the principles of integrity and public service. These sentiments reflect alignment with Chapter 6 of the Constitution, which focuses on ethical leadership and good governance.
There are ongoing discussions to expand the Burnt Forest Level 4 Hospital’s capacity from 60 to 150 beds. This proposed upgrade would meet the minimum threshold for launching clinical medicine and nursing courses at the newly opened campus. Stakeholders from both government and the health sector echoed the need for joint investment to support this goal.
The commissioning of KMTC Burnt Forest Campus represents a strong step toward empowering communities through health education while laying the foundation for a more resilient healthcare system in Kenya.
