Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Kenya’s healthcare system is set for enhancement as 66 new paediatric nursing specialists graduated from the Gertrude’s Institute of Health and Child Research with Higher Diplomas in paediatric nursing and paediatric critical care nursing.

The new graduates are part of a larger cohort of 130 individuals who have completed programs at the institute in four different specialisations, including emergency medical technicians and healthcare assistants.

The 66 will be deployed to offer significant improvements to healthcare services across Kenya’s 47 counties.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Perez Obonyo, the institute’s principal, lauded the partnership with the government in the program, noting it has significantly boosted ongoing efforts to bridge the nursing gap in Kenya.

Obonyo cited the achievement as a significant milestone demonstrating the institution’s commitment to closing the skills gap in paediatric nursing in Kenya and ensuring a healthier future for the country’s children.

“The country currently has an estimated 42 nurses for 100,000 people, against the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 240 nurses for 100,000 people. We have been collaborating with the government on a program to train nurses from county institutions in paediatric care and paediatric critical care nursing. We eagerly anticipate the continued growth of this partnership, which will contribute to our shared goal of reducing infant mortality and nurturing a healthier new generation,” she said.

Healthcare provision

On his part, the Kenyatta University Referral and Research Training Hospital CEO, Ahmed Dagane, who graced the graduation as Chief Guest, emphasised the vital role of public-private sector collaboration in advancing healthcare provision in Kenya. “I applaud the emerging public-private partnership that’s defining the success of this program. Indeed, private investment and donor support for government-proposed trainees across 47 counties will ensure the availability of critical healthcare services downstream.