MKU Chairman Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS launches an Ultra-Modern Cafeteria at Equip Africa College

Monday 1^st marked yet another major infrastructure milestone for Equip College of Medical & Health Sciences as the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Chairman Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS launched an ultra-modern cafeteria at the College’s Kitale campus. The magnificent cafeteria was built and equipped through the kind sponsorship of MKU Foundation and Mount Kenya University.

Speaking during the launch at the College, Prof. Gicharu stated that the country is faced with a severe deficiency of health professionals and urged that secondary schools should be adequately equipped with laboratories and other facilities to foster the development of more health professionals in order to curb the shortage. This comes after the rise of covid-19 which has brought to light the need for more medical practitioners as more Kenyans turn to them for the much needed healthcare services.  

In an effort to facilitate this, as Chairman of the College, he revealed that he had already invested over Kshs. 400M in upgrading the Equip Africa College infrastructure including world class science & clinical skills laboratories, a well-stocked library, an ultra-modern computer center, and the newly launched ultra-modern cafeteria. This is also in line with one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda; Universal Healthcare, which cannot be achieved without training competent health care practitioners.Prof. Gicharu also revealed a planned investment of an additional Kshs. 600M in the coming months towards the upgrading of the MKU TVET college into a center of excellence in medical and health sciences training in the continent.

The College’s vision: ‘To be a premier healthcare training and research college in Health Sciences in Africa’ can be borne witness with this step among others to be taken in the future. Also, its desire to develop healthcare professionals with requisite knowledge, skills and attitude for the health sector with the help of highly skilled practicing healthcare professionals and experienced technical staff can be observed.

Present during the launch was Equip Africa’s Executive director, Mr. John Ngoshi who expressed his gratitude towards MKU Foundation and stated that the ultra-modern cafeteria will ensure that social distancing is in place. Equip Africa College has been in the forefront in protecting its students, staff, and the community against the COVID-19 pandemic through strict adherence to the Ministry of Health guidelines, disseminating COVID-19 information resources ,and donating protective gear to neighboring healthcare facilities.