Turning point as KUTRRH admits medical students for internship
The trainees narrated how they have had to delay sitting for their exams as a result of the doctors strike in Kiambu as there were no patients to attend to or supervisors
After a delay of more than five years, a milestone has been achieved after Kenyatta University medical students were allowed to access training facilities at the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
This brings to an end a stalemate in which the university had accused the hospital management of refusing to allow medical students access to the facility.
Speaking during the induction of the first batch of 200 students, their leaders welcomed the move saying it ushers in a new chapter where the trainees will benefit from advanced training equipment at the level 6 hospital.
Fred Ondieki, the KU Social Welfare and Co-curricular Activities chairman, who is a fifth-year student at the School of Medicine, said the more than 700 medical students were facing challenges while seeking attachment at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital because medics there were on strike.
The trainees narrated how they have had to delay sitting for their exams as a result of the doctors strike in Kiambu as there were no patients to attend to or supervisors.
“This is a huge relief for us as medical students because KUTRRH has better facilities to help us in exams and also finalize our course. We thank the management of the hospital and other relevant government arms for resolving the stalemate,” said Ondieki.
His counterparts Vincent Ochieng and Irene Nyatichi concurred and said they were excited about the development which makes it easier for the trainees to complete their courses.
“This hospital was established mainly as a teaching facility for KU medical students, we are happy that finally we are here,” said Ochieng, a member of the Medical School Congress.
KUTRRH Chief executive Dr Zainab Gura said the start of internships for the students was a major milestone as one of the main mandates of the hospital is to provide training for KU.
She added that about 100 learners had reported on the first day but from next year the hospital will be able to accommodate all the medical students in year three, year four, year five and year six.
“This marks a significant milestone after various discussions were held between the two institutions which has culminated in the admission of the first batch of trainees. We look forward to endless collaborations going forward,” said Dr Gura.
Various government arms, including the National Assembly and Senate Committees for Health, have previously intervened to resolve the standoff over medical students accessing the hospital facilities.
