The government, through the Ministry of Health, has announced a mass scholarship programme open to Kenyans seeking to advance their professional careers.
The scholarship opportunities are for Diploma and Masters Programmes for healthcare workers serving under the national and county governments.
The scholarship will feature specific priority areas identified in the health sector as a measure of improving the healthcare standards in the country.
The opportunities will be available for sponsorship under the 2021/2022 Financial Year with the closing date for the application being October 29, 2021.
The opportunities are set to benefit dentists, pharmacists, nurses, clinical officers, medical laboratory personnel, radiographers, medical laboratory personnel, nutritionists, epidemiologists, public health practitioners, oncologists, surgeons, and neurologists.
For one to be eligible, they must be a healthcare worker currently serving under either the national or county government. They must also have served for a minimum of two years and on a permanent and pensionable basis.
Applicants are required to submit a written application and attach copies of academic and professional certificates, identity card or passport, letter of first appointment, letter of appointment to their current grade, evidence of admission into a recognized institution for the desired course and indicate the last long course attended.
Healthcare workers serving in the counties should submit their applications through their respective county governments.
Healthcare workers serving in the national government should submit their applications through the Ministry's postal address to the Principal Secretary.
According to the Ministry, the scholarships will boost the government’s implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and equip both the county and national government with specialists to handle a range of diseases.
The UHC pilot project was previously launched in the counties of Kisumu, Isiolo, Nyeri, and Machakos and is expected to be rolled out to other parts of the country in 2022.
The Ministry also stated that the program will positively impact on research and innovation in the medical sector so as to adopt new strategies in combating infections in the country.
