Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Diploma program (Clinical Officers Council)

Diploma 3 years

About Clinical Medicine and Surgery programme

Clinical officers (COs) are key healthcare providers who are capable of treating all diseases seen in general practice. They practice independently but may be supervised by a physician in some settings.

This Diploma in Clinical Medicine is aimed at producing a clinical Officer who can provide quality clinical care in the community and hospital settings.

Upon completion of the Clinical Medicine course of study, the graduates will have acquired the knowledge and skills required to: diagnose, manage and prevent disease conditions; Offer leadership in healthcare planning and management and conduct community diagnosis/research.

The curriculum which has been developed by practicing professionals and representation from relevant stakeholders has been evaluated and approved by the Clinical Officers Council (COC).

At the end of the program, a graduate of the Diploma in Clinical Medicine program is expected to:

  • Practice professional values, behavior and ethics.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of scientific foundation of medicine.
  • Practice clinical skills.
  • Handle issues related to population health and health systems.
  • Demonstrate skills for management of information essential for policy decisions, planning and implementation of activities and programs in the health sector.
  • Apply critical thinking and research to solve problems in health-related issues.
  • Apply leadership and management skills in varying and diverse circumstances.

After 2-3 years upon qualification and registration, a Clinical Officer can proceed for a higher diploma in the following disciplines; 

  • Skin and Lungs (COLS),
  • Ophthalmology,
  • Pediatrics,
  • Ear,
  • Nose and Throat (ENT),
  • Orthopedics,
  • Medical Education and
  • Mental Health conditions.
  • OR
  • Proceed for Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine (Bsc Clinical Medicine) after 2 years
  • Proceed for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) 

Career Opportunities

  • Public Health and Organizations
  • Private Health Facilities and NGOs
  • Training & Research

Objectives of Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Diploma in Clinical Medicine aimed at training clinical Officers for public and private practice, participation in NGO programs and self-employment in addition to forming the basis for academic and professional progression locally and internationally.

The goal is to prepare adequate numbers of clinical officers who are competent and community-oriented in line with Kenya's National Health Policy Framework (2006), the National Health Sector Strategic Plan II (2007-2012), and in accordance with Kenya’s Vision 2030 road map to health.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the program in Clinical Medicine, the graduate should have the following competencies:

  • Provide effective and efficient curative, promotive, preventive, and rehabilitative health services.
  • Manage and provide leadership in healthcare delivery and participate in the provision of health education to the community.
  • Evaluate his/her own performance and engage in continuing professional development, Manage and provide security of health commodities and other resources.
  • Apply available information technology to collect, analyze, disseminate, and utilize data to improve health care services.
  • Liaise and link with other stakeholders in his/her areas of operation, and conduct health systems research in order to continually improve health service delivery.

Entry requirements for Clinical Medicine and Surgery

KCSE mean grade of C (Plain) with

  • C (Plain) in English or Kiswahili,
  • C (Plain) Biology,
  • C- (Minus) Chemistry and
  • C- (Minus) in Mathematics or Physics

Clinical Medicine and Surgery Course Subjects

The course is divided into 3 modules with each module taking a year to complete. 

First Year

  • Behavioural Sciences and Medical Ethics
  • Basic Life Support and First Aid
  • Computer applications
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Introduction to Medical Biochemistry
  • Medical Parasitology and Laboratory Techniques
  • Medical Microbiology and Laboratory Techniques
  • Community Health and Nutrition
  • Environmental Health
  • General Pathology
  • Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • Communication skills advocacy and social mobilization
  • Clinical Methods
  • Skillslab, Junior Clerkship, and  Nursing Skills

Second Year

  • Epidemiology, Demography and Biostatistics
  • Community Health
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Medicine
  • Child Health and Paediatrics
  • Surgery and Orthopaedics
  • Reproductive Health
  • Research Methodology
  • Health Service Management (HSM) and Medico-legal Issues
  • Skillslab and Intermediate Clerkship

Third Year

  • Community Health
  • Medicine
  • Child Health and Paediatrics
  • Surgery and Orthopaedics
  • Reproductive Health
  • Special Subjects: Ophthalmology, Dentistry, ENT, Mental health, anaesthesia
  • Community Attachment
  • Research Project
  • Senior  Clerkship

Colleges offering Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences
Kiambu County

Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Kijabe College of Health Sciences
Kiambu County

Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Nyahururu Medical Training college (NMTC)
Laikipia County