The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has been selected to host a multinational mental health training program in 2026, involving participants from 17 African countries, according to officials familiar with the planning. The initiative, first reported by KBC Digital, aims to strengthen regional capacity for mental healthcare following the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources at the African Union’s health directorate confirmed the selection process prioritized nations with high mental health burden indices. “This aligns with our 2023 Kampala Declaration on mental health infrastructure,” said one official speaking anonymously because plans weren’t yet public.
Analysts note the timing coincides with WHO’s Global Mental Health Action Plan renewal. Dr. Amani Binti, a Nairobi-based public health specialist, told Reuters: “Africa has only 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people versus a global average of 9. This training could help close that gap.”
The program will reportedly include trauma counseling modules tailored for post-conflict regions and cultural competency training. KMTC’s newly constructed Nakuru campus, equipped with simulation labs, is expected to serve as the primary venue.
If successful, the initiative could become a model for South-South cooperation in healthcare education. However, some question whether the 2026 timeline allows sufficient preparation given funding uncertainties.