The Kijabe Mission Hospital has clarified reports of a specialized medical training course, after uproar from Kenyans online.
In a statement on May 22, 2025, the hospital addressed concerns regarding a draft curriculum that had circulated widely on social media, sparking debate and criticism.
The course in question was titled Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery (Plastic Surgery for Clinical Officers – PSCO).
According to the statement, the hospital’s plastic surgery team had initiated the development of the draft curriculum as a feasibility study for a specialized training program.
The aim was to equip clinical officers with enhanced skills to support plastic surgeons and expand access to surgical care in underserved areas across Kenya.
Kijabe Hospital issues clarification
However, following preliminary consultations held in March 2025, it became evident that there was no suitable regulatory framework in place to support such a program.
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The statement adds that the curriculum, being only a draft, was prone to misinterpretation and potential misuse—factors that could jeopardize patient safety and cause confusion within the broader healthcare system.
“In light of these concerns, Kijabe College of Health Sciences (KCHS) made a deliberate decision NOT to move forward with the curriculum,” the statement read in part.
“The version currently circulating online was an internal draft and does not represent KCHS’s current or future academic direction.”
The institution emphasized that both KCHS and Kijabe Hospital remain committed to upholding the highest standards of medical education while working in close collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure patient safety and professional accountability.
“We thank our partners and the public for continued trust in our training and education programs, which aim to equip healthcare workers across Kenya,” the statement concluded.
Unrecognized courses
This comes after the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) warned Kenyans against enrolling in nursing courses offered by unrecognised institutions, including a college running an unapproved program.
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NCK in a statement on April 18, issued a warning to the African International Technical College, accusing it of advertising and offering a nursing-related course without the council’s approval.
The council noted that it is the only authority responsible for regulating nursing and midwifery training programs and institutions in Kenya, adding that any course offered without its approval is not recognized and does not meet the required standards of training and professional practice.
“The council wishes to draw your attention to Section 21 of the Nurses and Midwives Act CAP 257 Laws of Kenya, which stipulates that, any person conducting nursing training courses without Council approval, upon conviction, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings (Ksh500,000), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both,” said NCK.
NCK further notified the entire public that Nurse Aid, Nursing Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training are not recognized programs by the council.
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