Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has signed an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) signed December 17, 2020.
The signed addendum stipulates that KNH will accept students in the fields of clinical and public health practice at the main Kenyatta National Hospital and its satellite hospital at Korogocho, Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children’s Hospital, for a period of five years effective from May 1, 2019.
This was established when His Excellency, President, Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the new Level 6 Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children’s Hospital in a colourful ceremony, March 18, 2022.
The ceremony saw the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), officially hand over the hospital to the Kenyatta National Hospital management.
The 350-bed capacity hospital will be managed by Kenyatta National Hospital after being revived by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services after stalling for over 30 years due to administrative and financial constraints.
President Kenyatta appreciated all the parties involved in the project. He noted that the completion of the hospital will be critical in reducing the caseload referred to KNH.
Prof. Ngumi (right) exchange the addendum document with KNH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Evanson Kamuri
Covering a catchment population of close to 200,000 people, the President said, it was gratifying to note that the residents near the hospital will not have to travel to Kenyatta National Hospital for health services.
“This hospital will serve all Kenyans and has brought health care close to the people, who will not have to travel far to access health care,” said President Kenyatta.
On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi said, JKUAT will leverage on the institution’s collective strength and expertise under the framework of the healthcare referral system, to strengthen its training and research towards providing sustainable healthcare solutions to the country.
“The Hospital is located in an area that is strategic to the University’s training and research endeavours and provides a great opportunity for us to support the Government’s Big Four Agenda, particularly, Universal Healthcare,” said Prof. Ngumi.
The partnership between JKUAT and KNH provides a framework for collaboration between the two institutions in implementing joint integrated development programs with specific focus on their respective strategic plan.
The signing of the addendum comes against the backdrop of the two institutions launching the first-ever Masters programmes in Emergency Medicine and Dermatology in Kenya, September 2021.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Chair of Council, Amb. Mahboub Maalim Mohamed, Ag. Principal, College of Health Sciences, Dr. Reuben Thuo, Ag. Dean, School of Medicine, Dr. Justus Simba, and Ag. Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Richard Wokabi among others.
Enhancing delivery of health services in Nairobi