The HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) course came to a conclusion on April 27, 2012 after a two-week of theory and one week of observed practice.

This is the 14^th HTC course undertaken at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s Training Centre. HCT has proved cost effective and acceptable at the family level.

In his speech read by Dr. Amon Chirchir, the Hospital Director-Dr John Kibosia affirmed that the Hospital is committed to the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the community through HTC counsellors.

He informed the participants on the importance of good community entry process so that their services are to be accepted and valued by the society. He further advised the participants to attach themselves to HTC sites in their localities in order to sharpen their skills in counselling.

The Director thanked the National Aids and STD Control Programme (NASCOP) and PASCO for their support in the North Rift Region and for their assistance and participation in HTC training especially in guidance and issuance of HTC serial numbers.

He congratulated all the graduands for successfully finishing theoretical part of the training and challenged them to undertake HIV prevention related operational research in their various work places.

Dr. Chirchir, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the Hospital, informed the graduands that their practice will involve various challenges which needs intervention. These include counselling clients who are HIV positive and making them responsible to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS. “The most difficult part of the counselling practice is passing information to someone known to you”, he told them.

The Course Co-ordinator, Mr. Mungai Gatetua thanked the Hospital for support throughout the training session and for providing the necessary resources for the success of the exercise.

At the end of the closing ceremony, the graduands were issued with certificates of completion.

The Training Centre offers various courses including Higher National Diploma in Clinical Medicine (Child Health & Paediatrics), Nephrology Nursing and Critical Care Nursing. The Centre also gives Diplomas in Kenya Registered Nursing, Information Communication (IT), Health Records and Information Technology (HRIT) and Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing. Computer Packages and Certificates in HRIT and HTC are available too.