UoN, Mbagathi Hospital Sign Partnership to advance clinical Training and Research

Medical students at the University of Nairobi are set to benefit from expanded clinical training opportunities following the signing of a collaborative agreement between the University and Mbagathi County Referral Hospital.

The agreement, signed on Monday, 3 August 2026, establishes a framework for cooperation in medical education, research, clinical care and professional development. It will support undergraduate and postgraduate training, joint research, continuing education programmes, staff exchanges and the development of health proposals for donor funding.

The partnership was formalized by the University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayub Gitau, and the Chief Executive Officer of Mbagathi County Referral Hospital, Dr. Alexander Irungu.

Prof. Gitau said the agreement reflects the University's commitment to building partnerships that create lasting opportunities for students and strengthen healthcare training.

"We are expanding and deepening our collaborations for generations to come. This collaboration presents many win-win situations where our undergraduate students will benefit immensely. This is very pertinent for us as a university," he said.

Dr. Irungu said the hospital was looking forward to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through structured clinical training.

"We are very excited to formalize this partnership. Mbagathi County Referral Hospital has been voted the best Level 5 county hospital for the last three years. This is the right place for students to learn," he said.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the Faculty of Health Sciences and Mbagathi County Referral Hospital. Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Daniel Ojuka, said fifth-year medical students already undertake clinical rotations at the hospital, while some University faculty members also teach there.

"This partnership strengthens what has already been working well. We will continue to pursue more partnership agreements with other hospitals to widen the clinical training opportunities available to our medical students," he said.

Prof. Rose Kosgei, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at the Faculty of Health Sciences, said the hospital's location and commitment to collaboration make it an important training partner.

"Our partnership with Mbagathi is very strategic. The location works well for our students, and the hospital has demonstrated a great deal of goodwill in supporting our training programmes," she said.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. John Mande, Dr. Eric Koima, Dr. Pius Kinuthia and Lynette Kimora.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen practical medical training while supporting research and innovation that contribute to improved healthcare delivery in Kenya.

The University of Nairobi and Mbagathi County Referral Hospital have signed a collaborative agreement that will strengthen medical training, research, clinical care and capacity building.

The agreement was signed on Monday, 3 August 2026, by the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayub Gitau, and the Chief Executive Officer of Mbagathi County Referral Hospital, Dr. Alexander Irungu.

The partnership will provide expanded clinical training opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, support joint research and continuing education programmes, promote staff exchanges, and facilitate collaboration in healthcare innovation and donor-funded projects.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Gitau said the University is committed to expanding and deepening strategic collaborations that will benefit future generations.

"This collaboration presents many win-win opportunities. Our undergraduate students will benefit immensely from quality clinical training, and that is very important for us as a university," he said.

Dr. Irungu welcomed the partnership, noting that Mbagathi County Referral Hospital has been voted the best Level 5 county hospital for the past three years.

"We are very excited to formalize this partnership. This is the right place for students to learn and gain practical experience," he said.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Daniel Ojuka, said the agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two institutions.

"Our fifth-year students already undertake clinical rotations at Mbagathi, and some of our faculty members also teach at the hospital. We will continue pursuing partnerships with more hospitals to expand training opportunities for our medical students," he said.

Prof. Rose Kosgei, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, described the partnership as strategic because of the hospital's accessibility and strong commitment to collaboration.

"The location works well for our students, and Mbagathi has demonstrated a great deal of goodwill and commitment to working with us," she said.

The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Eric Koima, Dr. Pius Kinuthia, Lynette Kimora, Prof. Daniel Ojuka, Prof. Rose Kosgei and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. John Mande.