Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has officially abolished attachment fees for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students placed in Level 6 hospitals, a move that has been widely welcomed as a step toward making medical training more accessible and equitable.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 4, at the KMTC headquarters in Nairobi, Duale criticized the high charges students face when seeking clinical attachments in public hospitals—particularly national referral hospitals under his ministry.

“This will never happen again,” said Duale. “Public institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital are charging as much as Ksh10,000, and that is unacceptable. There must be justification for such charges—if any at all.”

Relief for Future Health Workers

Level 6 hospitals—Kenya’s top-tier health facilities—play a crucial role in training future healthcare professionals. These include:

• Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)

• Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

• Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH)

• Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital

• Nakuru Level 6 Hospital

• Kisii Teaching & Referral Hospital

• National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital

• Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital (Mathare North)

These institutions serve as vital training grounds for students due to their complex and advanced care settings. However, the growing financial burden of attachment fees has deterred many learners—especially those from humble backgrounds.

Push for Nationwide Fairness

Duale emphasized that while health is a devolved function, his ministry retains authority over national referral facilities. He plans to engage with both President William Ruto and the Council of Governors to advocate for standardizing and reducing attachment fees across all counties.

“Some counties are charging much more than others, and that’s part of the problem,” said Duale. “We’re meeting with the Council of Governors and the President tonight to address this.”

He added that this policy change is not just a matter of fairness, but a strategic effort to rebuild public trust in the health system and empower the next generation of healthcare workers.

Student Reactions and Public Praise

The announcement has sparked excitement among KMTC students and health sector advocates. Many expressed relief that what had become a financial barrier to critical hands-on learning is now being removed.

Medical student Mary Wanjiru from KMTC Nairobi called the move “a lifeline.”

“We already struggle with school fees and living expenses. Scrapping the attachment fee makes it easier for us to focus on learning and serving patients.”

As the health ministry works toward broader reforms, the scrapping of the Ksh10,000 attachment fee marks a decisive move in prioritizing students' futures—and ensuring Kenya's public hospitals live up to their mandate of education, equity, and service.