28/09/2026
CEO Calls for Curriculum Shift as Technology Reshapes Radiography
Artificial Intelligence and advances in medical imaging are changing the work of radiographers, placing fresh demands on how health professionals are trained.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch says health training institutions must respond by reviewing their curricula to ensure graduates enter the workplace with skills that match the technologies increasingly shaping diagnosis and patient care.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 11th Biennial Radiographers Scientific Conference (RASCO) 2026 held on September 26, 2026, in Kisumu County, Dr. Oluoch said curriculum development must keep pace with changes already taking place in radiography and medical imaging.
“We must prepare our learners not only for the healthcare needs of today, but also for the demands of tomorrow. As technology continues to transform healthcare, our training programmes and curricula must evolve to ensure that our graduates remain relevant, innovative and responsive to emerging needs,” he said.
At KMTC, that response is already reflected in its radiography and imaging training. Dr Oluoch said continued curriculum review would help ensure that training keeps pace with emerging technologies and changing clinical practice.
His remarks came as more than 300 radiographers, medical imaging professionals, educators, students, and international delegates gathered at the conference to examine developments in the profession and their implications for training and practice.
Dr. Oluoch said emerging technologies present significant opportunities for healthcare, but their value will depend partly on whether health workers have the knowledge and skills to use them effectively. He called for regular review of training programmes as technology and professional practice evolve.
He also cautioned that technological progress should not shift attention away from the patient, urging professionals and educators to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with quality care and professional standards.
KMTC Head of the Department of Radiography and Imaging Mr. Alex Ichelai said the College has graduated an average of 411 radiographers annually over the past three years.
He thanked the President of the Society of Radiography and Medical Imaging Professionals of Kenya (SORK), Jevas Kenyanya, for recognising KMTC as a key training partner in the growth of the profession.
Beyond the numbers, the conference also provided a glimpse of the next generation entering the field.
Pius Otiti, a third-year KMTC Radiography and Imaging student at Manza Campus, presented a research paper to delegates despite still being in the early stages of his research training.
Mr. Ichelai said the student's participation demonstrated what can happen when learners are given opportunities to engage with research and professional practice before graduation. He called for greater support for student research and innovation, particularly as the profession responds to new technologies and changing healthcare needs.
The conference brought together delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana, providing an opportunity for professionals and training institutions to exchange knowledge on developments in radiography and medical imaging.
Also in attendance was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) CEO Dr. Joshua Okise.
The discussions in Kisumu placed training at the centre of a wider question facing the profession: as imaging technology becomes more sophisticated, how quickly can the skills of the people using it keep pace?
