Government Reveals Why Many Students Are Enrolling in Mortuary Science Courses.
Government Explains Rising Demand for Mortuary Science Courses at KMTC
The government has revealed that more students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) are showing a strong interest in mortuary science courses, making it one of the fastest-growing programs at the institution.
Speaking during a public forum, KMTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Oluoch confirmed that the course, which was introduced in March 2023, has seen a dramatic increase in demand.
Initially, very few people anticipated that it would gain such popularity among students in such a short time.
According to Oluoch, the number of applications for the course has surged significantly. This year alone, KMTC received 250 applications, yet the institution could only accommodate 50 students due to limited capacity.
This overwhelming interest has prompted the institution to expand its facilities to allow more students to enroll.
“We have now increased our capacity, and today, we receive hundreds of applications from aspiring students,” Oluoch stated.
Despite the high number of applications, the program maintains strict intake regulations to ensure that training quality remains high.
The government is keen on producing highly skilled professionals who can uphold the highest standards in mortuary science.
Oluoch further explained that a majority of those applying for the course are sponsored by hospitals, funeral homes, or private institutions looking to improve their workforce.
Additionally, many individuals interested in starting their own mortuary businesses have found the program extremely valuable in equipping them with the necessary skills.
“These are mostly organizations that already offer mortuary services and want to strengthen their technical capacity.
At the same time, individuals who want to start businesses in the mortuary industry find our program highly beneficial,” Oluoch added.
In the past, mortuary attendants in Kenya were trained informally, mostly learning on the job at private funeral homes.
However, a study conducted between 2018 and 2021 by senior lecturers from the University of Nairobi (UoN) and pathologists from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) highlighted serious gaps in the training and practice of morticians.
To address these challenges, KMTC introduced the mortuary science course, which provides students with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
The program ensures that trainees develop the necessary skills and the right mindset to handle deceased bodies with professionalism, dignity, and care.
Initially, the course was only available at KMTC’s Nairobi campus, but due to increasing demand, it has since expanded to multiple campuses across the country.
There are also plans to introduce the program in four more campuses in the near future to accommodate the growing number of interested students.
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