Medical students at Kenyatta University (KU) are now set to begin clinical placements at a major referral hospital. This follows the resolution of a six-year deadlock regarding training attachments, which was settled with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and health authorities.
The agreement successfully restores crucial clinical exposure, a vital element of medical education that had been at risk since 2019. The jeopardization of this exposure was caused by the cessation of key discussions between the school and the host hospital.
The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes the cooperation between Kenyatta University (KU) leadership and the referral hospital. This agreement allows senior medical students to undertake essential clinical rotations, gain real-world experience, and receive practical training. These opportunities are mandatory for their graduation and subsequent professional registration.
For many years, medical students at Kenyatta University (KU) were forced to seek clinical attachments elsewhere, often requiring them to travel long distances or rely on irregular placements at private institutions. The deadlock was attributed to administrative disagreements concerning training conditions, costs, and supervisory duties.
After months of renewed negotiations involving the Ministry of Health, hospital authorities, and KU management, a signed agreement was reached. This document formalizes the supervision frameworks, roles, and responsibilities for students.
The collaboration between the institutions will focus on medical student training at the referral hospital.
- Kenyatta University (KU) medical students will be assigned clinical rotation slots. The hospital will provide accredited training, including mentorship and supervision across all major medical departments.
- KU is responsible for monitoring academic progress and ensuring students meet all prerequisites before placement.
- To support future cohorts and improve the training environment, both institutions will work together to enhance infrastructure.
The university’s officials confirmed that the new arrangement aligns with national medical education standards and is expected to enhance training quality. However, they did not disclose to the public the specific details regarding its implementation and operation.
Lecturers and student leaders welcomed the decision, underscoring the crucial role of clinical exposure at a referral hospital for future doctors. They pointed out that referral hospitals offer vital learning experiences, including diverse case mixes, advanced diagnostics, and emergency scenarios that go well beyond the scope of a classroom setting and are essential for a complete medical education.
“With this MoU, our clinical years will now be anchored in real-world medical practice, preparing us better for internships and eventual service to the community,” said a KU medical student representative.
Faculty members maintain that a referral facility is crucial for students to acquire practical, real-world experience that aligns with industry standards. This access will significantly improve their preparedness for internships, professional examinations, and licensure.
The agreement garnered praise from the Ministry of Health, which highlighted its vital role in tackling Kenya’s persistent health workforce shortages and improving health professional training.
Education stakeholders view this collaboration as a blueprint for resolving disputes at other institutions. They stressed the importance of continuous partnership between universities and training hospitals to guarantee strong practical placements for health profession students.
