Eldoret: Graduates in Medicine have been challenged to always uphold key professional values as they enter into service to humanity. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Philip Kirwa, reminded graduates that healthcare practice is a calling that needs humility, courage, and empathy.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Kirwa emphasized that success in the health sector is not a destination but a journey to a lifelong calling to service and a continued learning process. He was speaking during the 14th Graduation of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) College of Medicine, where 293 students in various disciplines, including nursing, clinical medicine, orthopaedics, and health records, graduated.
The event that involved conferring of diplomas and certificates to graduates brought together parents, guardians, faculty, government officials, partners, and distinguished guests to mark a milestone in the institution’s continued expansion and contribution to Kenya’s healthcare personnel. Dr. Kirwa commended the graduates, acknowledging their hard work, perseverance, and growth throughout their academic journey and pledged continued support from the institution as they embark on medical practice.
He urged the graduates to remember to always uphold professional values in their work, citing integrity, curiosity, adaptability, discipline, resilience, empathy, courage, and humility. Dr. Kirwa assured them, “When opportunities arise and you bring your certificate to MTRH, knowing that you came from here, you will not be disappointed.”
In his address, Dr. Kirwa expressed appreciation to the Board of Management, hospital leadership, faculty members, non-teaching staff, the Government of Kenya, and partners for their unwavering support in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. He revealed that MTRH College of Health Sciences has grown significantly since its modest beginnings to currently hosting more than 1,000 students, reflecting its rapid growth and rising demand for specialized medical training.
The college currently champions various advanced and specialized programs, including Higher Diplomas in Nursing Specialties such as Nephrology, Perioperative Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Trauma, and Oncology Nursing, among others. The ceremony also celebrated the first graduating class in Oncology Nursing, supported through a partnership with Princess M¡xima Center for Paediatric Oncology in the Netherlands, and the efforts by collaborators, including Dr. Festus Njuguna, Head of Paediatric Oncology at MTRH.
Reaffirming MTRH’s commitment to national health priorities, Dr. Kirwa highlighted the Hospital’s full compliance with the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that more than 80 percent of patients’ bills are covered under the program. He urged the public to enroll to avoid financial hardship during illness.
Dr. Kirwa underscored that while technology, AI, and machine learning continue to transform healthcare, human-centered care remains irreplaceable, especially empathy, compassion, and patient advocacy. He announced that MTRH, the largest hospital in the region, is undertaking major infrastructure development at its new Kiplombe College of Medicine site, Soy Sub-county, through the Affordable Housing initiative. This will address the growing demand for training and reduce congestion at the current facility.
Besides the new 4,000-bed capacity multispecialty hospital, the facility will include a 3,000-bed hostel for students, State-of-the-Art laboratories, modern lecture halls, computer technology facilities, and recreational facilities such as swimming pools, football fields, athletics tracks, and youth-friendly social spaces. These facilities will enable students to learn in a safe, modern environment with all necessary amenities.
