Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee for Health Sabina Chege has said the government will give Sh50 million to facilitate completion of a new branch of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kangema.
Chege noted she will push to have the funds be factored in the supplementary budget so as to facilitate construction of remaining parts of the college.
Construction of the new branch which was sponsored by Kangema NG-CDF is about 70 percent complete with calls for more support to have the institution construct laboratories before it starts receiving students in March next year.
Lecture halls and administration blocks are complete with the KMTC targeting to enroll about 2, 000 students to pursue various medical-related courses in the new branch.
Chege speaking when she joined county officials to inaugurate a new maternity ward and theatre unit at Kangema Hospital said she will push to ensure the funds are released soon so as to ensure the remaining infrastructure of the institution is constructed.
The college, Chege added, will go a long way in supporting training of medical practitioners as well help in development of Kangema town.
“Through my committee, I will push to see if this college is allocated money for its completion. By March next year, we want to see the institution admit its first bunch of learners,” said Chege, who is Murang’a County Woman Representative.
Murang’a County Executive Member for Health and Sanitation, Mr Joseph Mbai, said the county administration will get involved to ensure the college is completed before the slated date for its inauguration.
Mbai said the devolved administration will build a road leading to the college and work on all pavements within the institution’s compound.
“The County Government plans to upgrade Kangema Hospital to Level-4 facility by early next year. The hospital will offer a training ground for those who will be admitted into the new KMTC branch.
“Already we have opened a 50-bed capacity maternity ward and a theatre unit. The facility will also be operating 24 hour and we will bring other needed equipment to relieve people from this county challenge of seeking specialized treatment from Murang’a Level-5 Hospital,” he added.
Kangema MP, Muturi Kigano, stated that the local NG-CDF has set Sh10 million to purchase a bus for the college.
Kigano added that the college will change the face of Kangema town and local young people will get opportunities to study medical related courses.
“Kangema ND-CDF has facilitated construction of the college up to where it has reached and am delighted various stakeholders have come up to ensure its completion as opening of the college is slated in March next year,” he further said.
By Bernard Munyao
