Commonwealth College Poised to Bridge Gaps in Personnel Training in Kenya

The Commonwealth College of Medical and Related Studies (CCMRS) has embarked on a transformative Sh100 million project to expand its campus and address Kenya’s critical shortage of healthcare workers.

The expansion includes the construction of a 5,000 capacity student hostel and a new tuition block with 16 classrooms, aimed at increasing the institution’s capacity to train more healthcare professionals.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Commonwealth College Principal Olivia Akoth emphasized the institution’s role in filling the gap in the healthcare workforce by offering more training opportunities.

“This project is essential to our mission of equipping students with the skills necessary to meet the increasing demand for healthcare workers both locally and internationally,” Akoth said.

Currently serving 600 students, CCMRS plans to use the expanded facilities to introduce new programmes in nursing, clinical medicine, physiotherapy, and radiography, in addition to the 17 courses already offered.

This growth will enable the college to enroll more students and expand its contribution to the healthcare sector.

The land for the expansion was acquired in 2021, and the necessary approvals have been secured. The project is expected to be completed within the next year.

CCMRS has established partnerships with several public and private healthcare facilities, including Kisumu County Referral Hospital, Port Florence Hospital, and Star Hospital, where students gain practical experience.

Akoth also noted that discussions are underway to extend these partnerships to hospitals in neighboring counties like Homa Bay.

By expanding its capacity and introducing new courses, CCMRS aims to contribute significantly to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage that has put a strain on Kenya’s health system.

“We are stepping up to help the government cope with the increasing number of diseases and patients, with fewer healthcare workers available to provide care,” Akoth said.

The Sh100 million investment highlights the college’s commitment to strengthening healthcare education and supporting the government’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes in the region.

The project is expected to not only benefit the local community but also enhance healthcare services nationwide and abroad by producing well-trained professionals.