The Nursing Council of Kenya has urged institutions providing training in nursing and midwifery education to take on the responsibility of reshaping the healthcare landscape by broadening their training programs to encompass a wider range of specialized nursing disciplines.
The acting registrar of the council Ann Makuna stated that it is essential to reflect on the future of the field, which is continually evolving due to advancements in healthcare technology, changes in patient demographics, and emerging healthcare challenges.
“Commit to lifelong learning and professional development to stay abreast of these changes,” Mr. Makuna said in a speech read on her behalf by the council’s director of corporate services Dickson Kimutai at the graduation ceremony of the D.Kilimo Medical Training College Kitale (DKMTC).
The guest speaker Dr. Lindon Marani challenged the 62 graduates to leverage emerging technological advancements in the field of health to simplify service delivery emphasizing that current healthcare has been greatly enhanced by these innovations.
“The future of medicine is intertwined with technology. I challenge you to embrace technology and support the healthcare system in our country to enhance services in any part of the country,” said Dr. Marani.
He also challenged various regulatory bodies in the medical field in the country to explore emerging technologies and consider how to utilize them to enhance healthcare.
He noted that many of these bodies are currently falling short in leading the way in embracing these advancements.
Dr. Marani emphasized the importance of utilizing systems such as the Kenya Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). He highlighted that this digital health information system is crucial for the collection, storage, processing, analysis, integration, and security of community health data in Kenya.
The principal of the college Irene Walukaya stated that the 62 graduates, who are the pioneering batch, have met all current job requirements through certified training at the institution. She also mentioned that the college is set to expand the courses it offers.
The graduates included those with diplomas and certificates across various fields, such as Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing, Diploma and Certificate in Perioperative Theater Technology, and Diploma in Community Health and Development.