This article aims to provide information on how to become a medical doctor in Kenya, the necessary qualifications, skills required, and expected salary.
Who is a doctor?
A doctor is a medical professional educated to help patients recover their health. He or she can diagnose and treat human illnesses, sicknesses, injuries, pain, and other situations. A career in medicine isn’t for everyone.
A medical doctor must have direct responsibility for the patient’s life and well-being, dedication, time management, teamwork, strong listening skills, empathy, outstanding communication skills, and competency with specialized medical instruments.
What does a Doctor do?
Doctors are trained to diagnose and treat diseases.
Writing prescriptions for patients and checking them twice a day; conducting medical examinations; making diagnoses and treating patients’ ailments; supervising medical students and residents; collaborating with other doctors and healthcare professionals; keeping meticulous records for legal purposes and to be used by others in the field, and providing health education to patients and the general public.
Requirements to join campus and application process
The minimum requirement; you must have a KCSE mean grade of C plain, to be precise. English/Kiswahili and Biology/Biological Sciences will need a C or above. Any student wishing to pursue a diploma in medicine will be required to get a C- or better in Chemistry/Physical Sciences and Mathematics. But the requirements can vary depending on the type of doctor course you are applying for and the school you are applying to.
There is no standard application process for all universities and colleges offering medical courses in Kenya; therefore, one is required to visit their chosen college or university’s website.
For example, applying for the Kenya Medical Training College;
All applications must be submitted ONLINE using the application portal (Admissions Portal) accessible at https://kmtc.ac.ke/. Each academic year, prospective students apply for admission to courses. The selected candidates are then assigned to one of the 71 KMTC campuses nationwide.
Study Period and Fee Structure
The MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) is a six-year, full-time curriculum with three trimesters every year. Before a student may graduate, they must satisfactorily finish all of the program’s core courses.
Regular students starting the first year pay a fee of sh. 80,700 to 220,000, and self-sponsored students pay a fee of sh—120,700 to 500 000 every year.
Fields of Study
Cardiology Dermatology, Allergy and immunology, Diagnostic radiology, Anesthesiology, Emergency medicine, Medical genetics, Neurology, Nuclear medicine, Obstetrics and gynecology, Family medicine, Ophthalmology, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Preventive medicine, Internal medicine, Pathology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Urology, Radiation oncology
How to Be Registered by KMPDU
To be registered as a Kenyan practitioner, one must;
- Be a Kenyan citizen:
- Has a degree or equivalent certificate from a Kenyan or East African university that the Council recognizes as eligible for registration.
- Passed internship exams.
- Presents evidence of internship completion.
- Passed pre-registration examination.
- A medical or dental practitioner who satisfies the Council’sil’s moral requirements may seek full registration under this statute.
- Be a citizen of the East African Community and:
- Is a holder of a degree or other qualification recognized by the Council as making him eligible for registration.
- Presents proof of registration in their country of origin.
- Satisfying the Council that he is a person of good moral standing and may apply to the Council for reciprocal registration as a medical or dental practitioner under this Act.
- Is not a Kenyan or an East African Community member state national, but:
- Is a degree holder or other qualifier eligible for registration?
- Presents registration from home country or other jurisdiction.
- Has appropriate knowledge and experience in medicine or dentistry, as applicable.
- Shows the Council he’s morally upright.
- Has completed a Council-prescribed exam may apply for temporary registration as a foreign medical or dental practitioner under this Act, as specified.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council’s Online Services Portal allows a registered medical practitioner to apply for a General Medical Practice License online at the following link: KMPDC Online Services Portal. The annual renewal fee is 10, 000 General Medical Practice License for Kenyan doctors.
Website:https://kmpdc.go.ke
Medical Doctor Salaries in Kenya
Kenyan doctors and physicians get an average monthly salary of 345,000 shillings (KES). The lowest average pay is 127,000 KES, while the highest average salary is 583,000 KES.