6,484 healthcare interns deployed to boost Kenya’s primary health workforce

Judy Sheri -PCO

The Ministry of Health has deployed 6,484 healthcare interns in efforts to strengthening Kenya’s primary health workforce, a central pillar in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Speaking at Afya House in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, hailed the posting of the interns across the country as a major milestone in the government’s quest to restore order and accountability in human resource deployment within the health sector.

“This is not just the fulfilment of a pledge, it is a bold demonstration that this government keeps its word,” he said.

The internship deployment, which covers medical officers, dentists, pharmacists, clinical officers, and nurses, is one of the most expansive and timely exercises in recent years.

The interns will undergo a 12-month structured clinical training in internship centres accredited by regulatory bodies.

Duale emphasized that the training is designed to meet global standards, focusing on hands-on experience and quality supervision.

Speaking to the interns, the CS described the opportunity as a national calling.

“This is your moment to prove not just your knowledge, but your values. Serve with humility and integrity. Every patient you encounter is a life and a trust placed in your hands,” he said.

The Ministry, he noted, is not only addressing numbers but also investing in quality through better planning, digitisation of services, and collaboration with training and regulatory institutions.

The government, he said, has placed health at the heart of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and expects the new interns to be central players in the transformation.

Duale, further, acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders including training institutions, regulatory bodies, health unions, and county governments whose support made the deployment possible.

He called for continued collaboration in driving forward the national health agenda. “As we roll out health reforms, these interns will be at the heart of change. They are not just interns; they are agents of transformation,” he said.

“Kenya is watching. Kenya is counting on you. And this government will walk with you every step of the way,” he said.