Thika Medical School Charts Overseas Training For Nurses, Expansion To East Africa

One of the few privately owned medical schools in Kenya, the Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences looks forward to its 16th graduation ceremony. 

With its main campus in Thika town, the school is now exploring further expansion in other counties, with a satellite campus in Nairobi County. Currently, the institution’s main campus is in Thika, with other branches in Mombasa, Kisumu and Kitui County. 

According to its Administrator, Ranjeet Gupta, the school also eyes expansion beyond the Kenyan border, with a satellite campus in one of the East African countries.

As the Kenya Kwanza government seeks to export skilled labour internationally, Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences is on a mission to prepare its students for the workforce beyond Kenyan borders. 

Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences Administrator, Ranjeet Gupta, speaking to the media. /PHOTO

“We are in the process of working with a consultant to meet health labour needs in countries such as Australia and Germany, where medical practitioners are needed. We seek to provide overseas training for our nurses so that we can get them jobs outside Kenya. We are in line with government planning,” says Gupta. 

The school, established 17 years ago, offers 26 academic courses, with students pursuing diplomas and certificates in health sciences. 

The School Principal, Ann Kimani, says the institution has positioned itself to meet the gaps existing in the health sector. To date, over 4,000 students have graduated from the institution and are in the job market. 

“The institution has embraced the CDACC curriculum introduced by the government under the Ministry of Education. The curriculum is enabling us to have well-rounded students who are able to gain hands-on skills required in the job market,” says Kimani.

The institution collaborates with multiple health facilities in Kiambu County, where students go for clinical rotations and attachments. 

“It is a cordial relationship whereby we give well-trained students to the community. They are able to bridge the gap in medical services. The facilities also give our students an opportunity to get hands-on skills and fit into the job market,” she adds. 

As the school eyes expansion beyond Kenya, the school principal says trainers are constantly updating their teaching methods to adopt technological advancements in the health sector. 

“The trainers and staff here are aware of emerging issues, and we are able to keep up with the advancements in technology,” she remarks. 

The institution on Friday received a cash reward from Equity Bank after emerging winner in the drama festival. 

A student, Nelly Sitei, welcomed plans to train students to fit the overseas market, saying it would provide the much-needed job opportunities.