Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff has announced that the Technical University of Mombasa is set to start offering medicine degree courses.
In a press statement after a County Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 29, the governor confirmed that the Commission of University Education (CUE) has already given the green light to the university to introduce the course.
Additionally, according to the governor, the County's Department of Health has also penned a formal agreement with the university to start offering the course.
"The County Government, through the Department of Health, has also formalised an agreement with the Technical University of Mombasa to commence offering degree courses in medicine, a programme that has received approval from the Commission for University Education," he stated.
The institution is set to become among the few universities in the country that offer medical-related courses, which, by many, is considered one of the most prestigious courses one can pursue.
According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), only 13 universities in the country have been approved to offer medical and dental courses.
These Universities include the University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University, Egerton University, Kenya Methodist University, Maseno University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University, Uzima University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kisii University, The Aga Khan University, and Pwani University
According to the governor, introducing the course at the university will play a fundamental role in encouraging the youth in Mombasa to pursue medicine and elevate the county's healthcare sector.
"This is a historic milestone that will empower our youth to study medicine locally and later serve their communities, strengthening the local health workforce for generations to come," he stated.
The Governor has further assured that the county government is keen to elevate health infrastructure through the establishment of Kongowea Level 4 Hospital and the refurbishment of the Likoni Subcounty Hospital, in addition to constructing rehabilitation centres across the county.
According to the Sheriff, the facilities will be equipped with modern diagnostic equipment such as the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and the Computed Tomography (CT) machines.
The announcement comes hours after the governor confirmed that he has moved his office to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital to supervise service delivery in the hospital.
“This week, I have moved my office to the Coast General Hospital to personally oversee and accelerate the service reforms we are implementing,” he said.
