The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has launched a new course in Medical Insurance aimed at addressing challenges in the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) services. The move is part of the institution’s broader effort to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to ensure the success of the SHA, which is a key government initiative intended to expand access to healthcare services across Kenya.
KMTC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch emphasized the importance of innovation and research in supporting government health policies, especially as the rollout of the SHA progresses. Speaking during a visit to the KMTC Bondo campus, Oluoch explained that the Medical Insurance course is specifically designed to tackle some of the challenges facing the SHA, such as pre-authorization, claims management, and service delivery efficiency. He noted that as the SHA insurance scheme expands, there is a pressing need for qualified professionals who can manage these key components to ensure smooth operation.
Dr. Oluoch highlighted that KMTC’s mission is to equip students with practical skills that directly address health disparities, with the ultimate goal of establishing the college as a global leader in affordable healthcare training. He also reiterated the institution’s role in providing the health sector with highly trained professionals, stressing that KMTC is committed to continuously improving its curriculum and contributing to healthcare policy development.
With KMTC campuses spread across the country, Oluoch encouraged qualified Form Four leavers to enroll in the institution’s programs, underscoring that the introduction of the Medical Insurance course marks a significant step in the institution’s ongoing mission to meet the evolving needs of the health sector.
The rollout of the SHA insurance scheme, which aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to Kenyans, has been met with criticism. Many have raised concerns over the scheme’s inefficiency in settling medical costs, and some lawmakers have questioned its management. Last week, Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah expressed his concerns about the interference from the Ministry of Health, which he believes is undermining SHA’s autonomy. “When we created SHA, we did not intend for the Ministry to run it. The authority must prove it has the capacity to manage its own affairs,” Ichung’wah said.
As the SHA insurance scheme continues to face challenges, KMTC’s introduction of the Medical Insurance course could provide the expertise necessary to address the shortcomings and enhance the program’s effectiveness in delivering healthcare services to the Kenyan public.
