Many Kenyans pursue medical courses because they guarantee employment almost immediately after graduating.

The best part about medical programs is the fcat that they are several, enabling students to choose a medical area they feel connected to or passionate about.

Additionally, students can choose to pursue long-duration courses or short ones.

Short medical courses come in handy for students with financial constraints because they are affordable. 

Also, their short duration implies that interested candidates can enroll in as many programs as they can afford.

According to Kenya Medical Training College, short medical courses are primarily offered to individuals or tailor-made for organizations and corporations.

Employed individuals can undertake these programs to remain relevant in their profession.

 Read on to learn about these short medical courses, where to pursue them, and the time to complete them.

1.  First Aid and Basic Life Support

As the name suggests, this short medical course equips learners with knowledge on preventing and controlling life-threatening scenarios or accidents during unexpected events.

The course targets several players in various industries, such as hoteliers, teachers, police officers, drivers, caregivers, and more.

 Those interested in this program can register at KMTC campuses like Eldoret, Makindu, Thika, Machakos, and Msambweni.

The duration of this part-time course is two weeks, and the total fee amounts to Ksh 10,500.

2.  Sign Language for Health Workers

One of the challenges faced by health workers in their daily operations is being unable to communicate with deaf patients.

However, this course is not limited to health personnel but other personnel looking to work with the deaf or already working with them.

Participants are taught how to communicate in sign language for six months on KMTC-selected campuses.

The six months duration is divided into three months of full-time and three months of practicum.

The whole course goes for Ksh 60,500.

3.  Point of Care Ultrasound in Midwifery

This short course targets practicing midwives, aiming to equip them with computer skills for daily use.

After this training, midwives are expected to perform complete ultrasounds by generating accurate images and reports.

This training is an essential requirement for employment.

The minimum qualification for this short program is a certificate in Nursing (ECHN, KRCHN, BsN).

It is offered in KMTC campuses like Nairobi and is expected to last six months full-time at a fee of Ksh 100,500. 

4. Community Mental Health

We live in an era where mental health is stigmatized, making it difficult for affected people to seek help.

Some do not even know they are battling mental health issues until a professional diagnoses them.

This course targets community-based workers, volunteers, religious leaders, and other community gatekeepers.

It prepares them to promote and advocate for mental health in the community, diagnose mental health cases, and offer relevant help.

Participants can enroll for this course in Mathari, Port Reitz, Murang’a, and other selected KMTC campuses.

The program takes 12 weeks at the cost of Ksh 25,500.

5.  Nutrition in Critical Care

Nurses, doctors, nutritionists, community health workers, clinical officers, pharmacists, and lab technologists are the target group for this short medical program.

The course aims to equip them with knowledge on meeting the nutritional needs of critically ill patients through options like enteral tube feeding, which entails feeding nutrients using tubes.

Makueni and Thika KMTC campuses offer this short course for two weeks at a fee of Ksh 25,500.

6.  Healthcare Entrepreneurship

Private health workers in healthcare businesses can study this short course to empower them to manage their businesses profitably.

These can be pharmacists, medical software developers, health insurance companies, and other key players in the health industry.

The course duration is two weeks at the Nairobi KMTC campus, costing Ksh 25,500. 

7. HIV Training and Counseling Services (HTS)

Those interested in working for HIV/AIDS programs can undertake this course for comprehensive training on offering HIV testing services. The course also targets healthcare workers.

Participants are also trained on how to treat, offer post-test care services, and pinpoint vulnerable populations that may benefit from HIV testing services.

The minimum requirement for the program is a Diploma.

Interested parties can register for this course at the following KMTC campuses; Lake Victoria, Nairobi, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Machakos, and Kisumu.

The program runs for three weeks at a fee of Ksh 24,500.

8.  Health Systems Management

This 4-week long short medical course targets healthcare workers with a Diploma as the minimum qualification.

They can be health administrators, human resource officers, procurement officers, or project managers seeking extra knowledge on managing health systems and ensuring they run smoothly for maximum productivity.

Participants can register for this course at the Nairobi KMTC campus at a fee of Ksh 40,500.

The course is online-based, meaning participants from any Kenyan Region can undertake it remotely without traveling to Nairobi.

9.  Exercise Physiology and Prescription

This course is specifically for physiotherapists, and the minimum qualification for participants is a Diploma in Physiotherapy.

They are trained to promote, prescribe, and manage exercise activities for clients recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.

Interested candidates can enroll in this course at the Nairobi KMTC campus for two weeks.

They are expected to part with a fee of Ksh 15,500.

10. Regional Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Management

Targeting medical personnel with Higher National Diploma in Anaesthesia (Clinical Medicine or Nursing), this course prepares participants to address various aspects of pain management and offer well-coordinated care.

Participants get training to manage pain during preoperative and postoperative periods and correct the administration of opioids to prevent an overdose.

Offered in Nairobi KMTC campus, this course runs for six months and costs Ksh 80,000.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of short medical courses to enroll in, depending on your passion and area of specialization in the healthcare industry.

You can find them on the official KMTC website, including additional information on fees, duration, and qualifications.

Short medical courses equip you with extra knowledge in various healthcare areas and for your continuous professional development.

 Besides KMTC, there are other institutions or universities you can find short medical courses, but you need to ascertain that relevant education authorities approve them.

You may also want to check:

Part-Time Nursing Courses in Kenya

List of the Best Nursing Schools in Nairobi

Do you want to enroll in a certificate, degree or master’s nursing course but you’re pressed for time because you’re employed or running your own business? “

If so, you’re in the right place because we are going to highlight part-time nursing courses that you can enroll in without affecting your busy schedule.

The majority of these part-time nursing courses are offered in the evenings and on weekends.

And the good thing is that they are accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya:

1. Diploma in Public Health

The course entails learning how people’s health outcomes are influenced by the environments in which they live, learn, work, grow, and play.

You’ll discover how public health specialists work together to identify these health issues and develop prevention and treatment strategies for them.

Institution: Chuka University

Target group: High school graduates who want to pursue a career in public health.

Study mode: Part-time classes occur during the day, evenings and weekends. The tuition fee for this course is Ksh 36,000 per semester. Intake occurs in April, August and December of every year. 

2. Echocardiography

This three months course teaches participants how to conduct and interpret ultrasound and echocardiogram imaging of the heart and blood flow, and how to use the most up-to-date scientific laboratory equipment, including echocardiographic and clinical skills lab equipment.

Institution: Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi Campus

Target group: Healthcare professionals, and radiographers with strong backgrounds in anatomy and physiology.

Study mode: Day, evening and weekend classes. The entire course costs Ksh 90,500.

3. Bachelor of Science Nursing

This course takes two & a half years on a part-time basis.

Nursing practice, administration, education, research, and leadership will all be covered holistically throughout the program, and graduates will be expected to exhibit leadership qualities.

Institution: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Juja.

Target group: Those with Diploma in Nursing

Study mode: Evening and weekend classes

4. Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing

With the help of this 3-year course, community health professionals will be prepared to engage with people on a home and community level and successfully administer primary healthcare.

Institution: Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences – Mombasa Campus

Target group: High school graduates

Study mode: Evening and weekend classes

5. Master of Science in Nursing

This course gives students the tools they need to teach and conduct nursing research.

It also gives them the managerial and administrative abilities they need to assume positions of professional leadership in their fields of specialty.

Institution: Great Lakes University of Kisumu

The course is offered at Milimani Campus, Kisumu County and Nairobi Community Outreach and Resource Centre, Nairobi County.

Target group: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing holders

Study mode: Evening and weekend classes

6. First Aid and Basic Life support

Students are equipped to manage and prevent life-threatening emergencies after taking this course.

The instruction adheres to accepted international standards.

The course is designed for drivers, hoteliers, police, security personnel, county disaster response teams, teachers, etc.

Institution: Kenya Medical Training college

The two-week course is offered on the following campuses: Eldoret, Machakos, Thika, Makindu, Msambweni, Rachuonyo and Kwale. 

Target group: Medical health professionals. High school graduates and workers from other professions can also enroll in this course.

Study mode: Evening classes

7. Medical Laboratory Practices and Management (MLP&M) Course

This training program is created to give laboratory supervisors the chance to get the necessary management and technical skills to ensure the labs they oversee fulfill the criteria for quality health care.

Institution: Amref International University

Target group: Lab supervisors

Study mode: Distance learning that includes day, evening and weekend classes. 

8. Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

This curriculum provides the student with the information and abilities to work as a nutritionist in any of the relevant industries, including health, community programs, food service, food processing, and agriculture, among others, taking into account the effect of food and nutrition on human health.

Institution: Kabarak University, Nakuru

Target group: Certificate in community nutrition holders. The certificates must be from government-recognized institutions.

Study mode: Evening and weekend classes

9. Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Community Health

This course is intended to provide clinical officers with the necessary training for both public and private practice, involvement in NGO programs, and self-employment, as well as serving as the foundation for local and global academic and professional advancement.

Institution: The Presbyterian University of East Africa, Kikuyu

Target group: High school graduates, Clinical Medicine and Community Health certificate holders.

Study mode: Day; Evenings; Saturday

10. Master of Science in Nursing

This course equips students with top skills in the clinical area of nursing.

Students should also be able to teach and conduct research in Nursing.

Institution: Mount Kenya University, Thika Campus

Target group: Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates and professionals.

Study mode: Evenings and weekends

Related:

Best Short Medical Courses in Kenya

List of the Best Nursing Schools in Nairobi

The CS for education, Ezekiel Machogu, recently released the 2022 KCSE results, prompting form four leavers to start strategizing on their tertiary education.

Those who attained C+ and above will join various public and government-sponsored private universities to study different courses.

Others who attained C plain and below will have to choose from a variety of self-sponsored courses in private universities and technical institutes.

Even students who scored a D Plain can join a college such as Zetech College. 

Why Pursue Zetech D Plain Courses?

 Zetech is one of the fastest-rising private universities in Kenya, offering various credible courses.

It is a technology-driven campus that has invested in modern learning infrastructure to empower and give its students a competitive edge in the job market.

They have programs for all calibres of students, even for students with D plain and D- mean grades.

However, the students have to start at the certificate level to qualify for diploma and undergraduate degree courses. 

Students can choose between studying on the main campus at Thika Road, or the town centre and Mangu campuses.

More importantly, Zetech students can choose the school’s Open Distance E-learning, a flexible studying approach that applicants with other engagements such as work can take. 

List of D Plain Courses at Zetech University

 Things have transformed for the better in the current education system because D Plain holders can forgo joining TVETs and enroll in a university instead.

Below is a list of D Plain courses at Zetech:

• Certificate in Business Management (KNEC)

• Certificate in Food Production and Service (KNEC)

• Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (power) (KNEC)

• Certificate in Journalism (Part 1) (ICM)

• Artisan in Salesmanship (KNEC)

All the above courses are accredited, marketable, and have affordable flexible fee payment plans.

The courses are also easy to understand and take a short period to complete.

On affordability, students with limited financial means can apply for Helb Loans Board and constituency or ward-based bursaries.

It is critical to understand that students can pursue higher levels of these courses upon completing the certificate option at the same university.

Doing so increases the chances of getting better-paying jobs in the market. 

How to Join Zetech with a D plain

Students aspiring to join Zetech University must have completed form four from a recognized secondary school.

The school has three intakes per year; January, May, and September.

Below are steps to follow when applying for Zetech’s courses:

• To apply, visit any of Zetech’s campuses or through their official website

• Pay the non-refundable application fee through M-Pesa 

• An admission letter is sent to the applicant’s email upon a successful application

Failure to produce relevant documents or submit all required information may disqualify applicants from getting an admission letter. 

Bottom Line

Zetech has risen through the ranks from being an ICT training centre to a college, and now a fully chartered university.

It also joins other private universities qualified to admit government-sponsored students.

 All these qualifications prove that D Plain students can entrust the institution’s courses, and its ability to equip them with modern knowledge.

There is more information regarding the institute that you can find on its website, or by visiting its campus for first-hand information.