Mount Kenya University (MKU) has become the first institution in the country to be accredited to train health records professionals. This achievement follows the university’s successful fulfillment of all the requirements set by the Ministry of Health.
Speaking during the official presentation of the accreditation certificate, the Director of Health Information Systems at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Gilbert Nzomo, acknowledged the long journey of training Health Records officers, which initially required professionals to seek training outside the country. “Many institutions are now training these officers, and there is a need to ensure quality. It started as a certificate program, and now we even have PhD programs in the country,” he said.
The Chairman of the Health Records and Information Managers Board (HRIMB), Mr. Onesmus K. Mwaura, emphasized the importance of accreditation in ensuring institutions adhere to quality standards. “As a board, we have embarked on streamlining the training of Health Records and Information officers in the country. One way to achieve this is through accreditation,” he said. He further noted that the HRIMB operates under the HRIM Act No. 15 of 2016, which became operational in 2022, empowering the board to regulate and oversee training institutions offering Health Records and Information courses.
MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, expressed gratitude to the board for its collaboration in training Health Records and Information professionals. “Universal access to quality health services and improved health outcomes require not only more health professionals but also high-quality and relevant education in health professions,” he stated. He also revealed plans to launch a Master of Health Information Management program to further advance training in the sector.
Since December 2012, MKU has produced 516 Bachelor of Science, 860 Diploma, and 383 Certificate graduates in Health Records and Information Management. These professionals are making a significant impact in various sectors, including government, non-governmental organizations, academia, and international bodies such as the World Health Organization.
This accreditation comes shortly after MKU received re-accreditation from the Nursing Council of Kenya to continue training nursing students. Since 2012, the university has trained over 1,400 nurses, with many securing employment opportunities abroad through partnerships with institutions in Germany and Austria.
MKU’s continued commitment to high standards in healthcare training positions it as a leading institution in shaping the future of health professionals both locally and internationally.
