Mombasa marked a historic milestone this week with the launch of the first School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), a development expected to transform healthcare training and delivery in the region.
Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, who presided over the event, described the moment as a breakthrough for the Coast.
“This is a historic day for Mombasa. We have opened doors for our youth and secured the future of healthcare in our county. Each sub-county will have two top students on full scholarship, who will remain to serve our people,” said Nassir, adding that 12 pioneer students have already received county-funded scholarships.
The governor stressed that the scholarships were awarded on merit, cutting across religion, gender, and ethnicity. “We did not look at the color of skin, tribe, religion or gender,” he said.
Deputy Governor Francis Thoya urged the university and the county government to broaden their cooperation beyond medicine.
“TUM has faculties in engineering, data science, and other fields. We need to explore more partnerships to create opportunities for our youth across disciplines,” he said.
Professor Marleen Temmerman, from Ghent University in Belgium, commended the collaboration that made the new school possible. She noted that the program, recently approved by the Commission for University Education, is community-focused and problem-solving oriented.
“This year, 60 students began their six-year journey to become doctors, 12 of them supported by the governor’s scholarships. With partnerships between TUM, Ghent University, and the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, students will gain world-class training and hands-on experience in both hospitals and community facilities,” Prof. Temmerman said.
She added that TUM’s polytechnic background gives it a unique advantage, enabling integration of medical training with biomedical engineering, data science, and innovation, skills critical in modern healthcare.
TUM Vice Chancellor Prof. Laila Abubakar acknowledged the national government’s role in providing KSh 266 million for construction and KSh 35 million for specialized equipment.
“With this new school, we are not just training doctors. We are preparing innovators who will drive healthcare solutions for our region and beyond,” Prof. Abubakar said.
