Gachagua encourages medics to seek jobs abroad as over 22,000 graduate from KMTC

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has implored medical professionals entering the job market to explore opportunities abroad amid the high unemployment rate in the country.

While presiding over the graduation ceremony of more than 22,000 graduates from the Kenya Medical Training College at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, December 7, the country's second in command said that Kenyans are among the most sought-after healthcare providers in the world due to their strong work ethics.

"As you go out to the world, venture into the world with dignity and professionalism. Be professional in your work, and uphold the standards that you've learned in this great institution. The people of Kenya have great work ethics.

"As you go out to the world exercise to look for employment outside our borders. One of the most sought areas out there is your profession. Our health providers are desired in large numbers across the world," DP Gachagua stated during KMTC's 92nd graduation ceremony.

Gachagua assured the medics that the government would engage world leaders to secure more job opportunities for Kenyan graduates.

According to Gachagua, President William Ruto has tasked recently appointed ambassadors to lead the talks.

"As we speak now, our president is meeting the new ambassadors and deputy ambassadors to brief them on their new role in the countries they are going to serve. The president has directed them that one of the critical roles they will play out there is to look for employment opportunities out there," he added.

Gachagua noted that some of the new graduates will be sent to the United Kingdom and Germany as part of a bilateral agreement on health partnership between Kenya and the two countries.

"Already, we have outstanding requests from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Germany for healthcare providers. I am sure soon most of you will find your way to other countries to go and work there and take care of the world," Gachagua assured.

At the same time, the deputy president termed today's graduation of 22,696 healthcare professionals as a pivotal step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

KMTC is a State Corporation established through an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Health, entrusted with the role of training various disciplines in the health sector.

The college has 72 campuses across the country.

During Thursday's graduation, some 870 graduates were awarded higher diplomas in various courses including clinical medicine, public health and nursing among others.

A total of 12,917 graduates were awarded diplomas while 8,909 received certificates.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, also attended the function.