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Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) management has refuted claims that students from Kenyatta University (KU) do not train at the facility.

Instead, the hospital shifted the blame to Vice-Chancellor Paul Wainaina, for failing to align the medical students with the industry regulator (Kenya Medical Board and Nursing Council) policies, as required by law.

KUTRRH board chair Prof Olive Mugenda said there has been misleading reports in sections of the media to the effect that the hospital does not offer training slots to KU students.

While stating that some medical students still train at the facility depending on the courses they are pursuing, Mugenda, the former KU Vice-Chancellor, maintained that there are courses that demand clearance from the regulator.

Legal framework

Prof Mugenda was speaking at the weekend after receiving Sh40 million donation from the Manu Chandaria Foundation to help complete expansion of the hospital’s Cancer Centre. The fund was presented by Dr Manu Chandaria and members of his family.

“I would like to clarify and let Kenyans understand that we are a public institution and we have no capacity to reject anyone. We are mandated by the Legal Order that established the hospital to take medical students from universities and other training institutions,” Prof Mugenda stated.

According to policy and guidelines, Mugenda explained medical training institutions usually contact the regulator regarding hospitals they would like to train with.

Board Chair divulged that the Level 6 Hospital is in training partnership with at least 10 other institutions of higher learning including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, United States International University and Mount Kenya University among others.

“As a trainer and the one who established the KU medical school, there is no way I or my Board can refuse to allow them. Those allegations are baseless and untruthful,” Mugenda noted.

She further explained that medical students are expected to go to level 3, 4 and 5 hospitals to get basic training skills before being taken through referral facilities like KUTRRH.

Dr Chandaria said he was impressed by the hospital’s cancer treatment services and pledged to continue supporting the facility.