The Ministry of Health has abolished the mandatory attachment fee for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students in all level 6 hospitals, due to their high attachment fees.
Speaking at KMTC headquarters in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 4, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale claimed that there has been a recurrent tendency of these hospitals to charge KMTC students high fees for attachment opportunities, a trend he branded as unacceptable.
"One of the issues that was raised by the board of management of this institution is the high amount of money that the students are charged when they visit public hospitals for attachment, which will never happen, particularly the level 6 hospitals that are under my ministry," the CS said.
"This is the problem in these hospitals because even if there was charging in these hospitals, there must be evidence and a very good reason as to why, but when you go to Kenyatta Hospital here, they are charging Ksh10,000," he added.
Level 6 hospitals are national referral hospitals, which are at the highest level in the country's healthcare system, and are managed by the national government. These facilities offer tertiary-level care.
Medical students often opt to go for attachments in these facilities, which have complex healthcare settings, to gain practical medical skills and experience.
Currently in Kenya, there are eight hospitals at this level, which include Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, and Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital.
Others include National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital, Nakuru Level 6 Hospital, Kisii Teaching & Referral Hospital, and Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital-KNH (Mathare North).
The health boss further claimed that he will hold consultations with the Council of Governors and President William Ruto to ensure that other healthcare facilities in the country charge fair fees for attachment opportunities for the students.
"This evening we are meeting with the Council of Governors and the President, and we will discuss the issue because even if we look at the list, some counties are charging higher fees than others, and that is the problem with our country," Duale said.
"Because health is devolved, I'll consult with the Council of Governors, but for the level six hospitals, I think I have the powers," he added.
According to Duale, the move will be fundamental in restoring public trust and hope in the country's health sector.
