The government has been urged to support private institutions in the training of more personnel in the medical field.
Prof Andrew Gachii, Chief Medical Director of The Nairobi West Hospital, emphasized the vital role private institutions play in addressing the shortage of specialized nurses.
"The government faces challenges in training specialized nurses, particularly in critical care nursing. Private players like us contribute significantly, but government support is crucial to sustain such expensive training initiatives," he said.
He spoke during the successful completion of its inaugural graduation ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the journey of healthcare education and specialization.
The ceremony, held at The Nairobi West Hospital in Nairobi, celebrated the graduation of 60 students who have completed rigorous training in higher diploma in critical care nursing and certification in health care assistant course.
Highlighting the demand for critical care nursing, Mrs Susan Limoh, Principal of The Nairobi West Hospital College of Health Sciences, stated:
"The need for specialized nurses extends beyond Kenya, with services like ICU, Bone Marrow Transplants, Cancer Care, and Kidney Transplants requiring trained professionals," she said.
"Our college is dedicated to equipping nurses with the skills needed for various healthcare sectors, focusing on critical care and assistant care nursing."
Prof Kiama Stephen, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, praised the college's commitment to addressing the global shortage of skilled nurses.
"The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role of nurses, particularly in ICU settings. We applaud the college for its inaugural graduation and encourage it to follow in the footsteps of Nairobi University, growing into a fully-fledged institution that trains not only nurses but also doctors," he said.
Addressing the graduates, Prof Kiama urged them to embrace challenges and strive for continuous growth.
"Your journey has been marked by hard labor, painful effort, and unwavering courage. Today, armed with knowledge and commitment, you step into the world to positively impact it."