The Minister for Medical Services Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o inaugurated the new Board of Management for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) on February 16, 2010. He was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi.
The new Board was appointed by His Excellency the President Mwai Kibaki in a gazette notice of January 15, 2010. They included the Chairman Prof. Julius Meme, Vice Chairman Mr. Joe Donde and Honorary Treasurer Ms. Lydia Wanjiru Kimani.
The new Board was appointed following expiry of previous board's term in December last year, which was chaired by Prof. James Kahindi.
Also appointed are Mr. David Yator and Mrs Grace Odidi, Principals of Nakuru Kisumu MTC respectively to represent the Principals on the Board.
Other members of the Board include the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Medical Services, Finance, Directorate of Personnel Management and Education.
Directors of Medical Services, Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenya Medical Research Institute, are also members. The School of Health Sciences Principal Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage is also a member as is Chief Nursing Officer Mr. Chris Rakuom.
Terming it a "reform board," the PS asked the new Board Chairman, Prof. Meme to steer the College to preside over "harmonization and full utilization" of the College's resources for the country's benefit.
Prof. Nyong'o challenged the College to ensure that training is devolved such that "it gets to the level where the people feel it."
Getting to Vision 2030 must start now, said the Minister: "To achieve Vision 2030 goals, we must start achieving some of the goals now, not to wait till 2030."
The Minister commended the College for coming up with a five year Strategic Plan for 2008 – 2012 that, he noted, would help the College focus into the future.
Commending the College for maintaining good results in Performance evaluation, the PS said the college contributes in raising "the quality of Kenyan health delivery system and meet the health requirements of our country."
He termed the evaluation "a contract with Kenyans, to deliver improved services to them." He challenged the new Board to "think strategically and turn the College challenges into opportunities for the good of the country."
