Medical students from Mount Kenya University will now access training facilities at the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital following the signing of a partnership between the two institutions.
In the collaboration signed by the Vice Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi and KUTRRH Chief Executive Ahmed Dagane, at least 42 MKU medical sciences students have already been placed for clinical attachments.
Speaking during the singing of the memorandum of understanding, Jaganyi said the collaboration was an indicator that local institutions can work together to achieve their goals.
"We usually make mistakes by traveling to foreign countries to look for collaboration, yet the best collaborator is just next door," said the VC who was accompanied by Prof Peter Wanderi in charge of Training and Linkages.
Jaganyi added that the university has already been collaborating with the referral hospital in cancer research and other medical fields.
"Let us get the best out of this partnership because we believe KUTRRH has cutting edge facilities that our medical students will use to train," he said.
Noting that MKU so far has a student population of over 60,000 across the globe, Jaganyi said this offers the basis for more collaboration with KUTRRH and even other institutions in the African region and beyond.
He commended Prof Wanderi and his team for tirelessly working towards achieving the training partnership with the referral hospital.
Dagane said some of the key areas earmarked for strengthening through the MoU are training, capacity building and internships for health workers and students in both institutions.
He noted that the pact with MKU was in line with the Level 6 referral hospital's mandate as a training facility for medical students from across the country.
"Other key areas of partnership include access to specialised care at KUTRRH for MKU staff, collaboration in research and innovation promotion of engagement for sustainable development goals among others," the CEO said.
Dr Isaiah Muriithi said the partnership is set to enhance research especially on cancer, noting that KUTRRH has requisite and state-of-the-art facilities to facilitate the same.
“We are optimistic that we will achieve a breakthrough in the research area and provide clinical solutions to cancer and related ailments. The partnership is set to help our doctors and also medical students at MKU through the medical innovations incubation hub at KUTRRH,” he said.
Prof Wanderi said MKU which is a pioneer private university offering medical sciences faculty, has established linkages with Germany and Austria among other foreign countries for training of nurses.
The MKU training pact with KUTRRH which is renewable after every three years takes effect immediately.