Mt Kenya University to train medical doctors
Mount Kenya University has been approved to start training medical doctors. In a statement issued yesterday, the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board said it has inspected the institution and is satisfied that it has the requisite infrastructure and facilities to offer the training.
The institution recently handed over a multi-million anatomy laboratory-cum mortuary, constructed at Thika Level Five Hospital, to the Kiambu government. The Project was a public-private partnership between the university, Thika Level five Hospital and Kiambu county. The modern anatomy laboratory opens opportunities to train medical doctors as it serves the community in Thika and its environs.
The board said Mount Kenya University will admit its first batch of 50 students by September.
Africa's growing need for medical expertise
Africa is on the rise. The evidence is everywhere. In a 2011 report, the World Bank declared that “Africa could be on the brink of an economic take-off.” The World Health Organization (WHO) 2011 African Regional Health Report revealed that Africa has made significant progress in the battle against many communicable diseases, including river blindness, malaria, leprosy and measles, among others.
And yet just beneath the surface of this happy story is a troubling trend. Even as Africa’s future has brightened in recent years, the continent has seen a dramatic increase in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Kemsa gets green light to supply medical tools
Kenya: A suit challenging a multi-million shillings tender by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority ( Kemsa) that had paralysed the supply of surgical equipment to public hospitals has been dismissed.
The Public Procurement Oversight and Review Board dismissed the application by Leadstar Company Limited, which wanted the procurement of non-pharmaceutical surgical tubes, blades and cannulas and safety boxes nullified. “The board notes that this tender involves the issue of supply of equipment which are to be used in public hospitals for the treatment of patients and notwithstanding the fact that the board has already found that all the grounds for review set up by the applicant lack merit. It would be in public interest if patients can access the equipment without any further undue delay,” the board ruled.
KENYA: Can Kenya become a medical tourism destination?
Kenya and especially its capital, Nairobi, is now considered the hub for business and development in Eastern Africa. The country expects one and a half million visitors this year. Some people argue that it can become a local medical tourism hub.
While under funded government hospitals in Kenya, generally offer poor quality care, poorly staffed facilities with overcrowding and limited service provision, private healthcare is an improvement, with small but modern health facilities and better-trained medical staff. However, for any serious operations, many locals and expatriates look outside the country for help; South Africa being the most popular, while some go to India and the ruling elite prefer the UK, USA or Germany.
To develop local hospitals capable of developing medical tourism, a significant investment in state of the art health care technology would be required.
