The county government in partnership with the national government is putting up a Sh200 million Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kombewa, Seme Sub County.
Governor Jack Ranguma on Friday presided over the ground breaking ceremony of the facility at Kombewa market centre.
The facility's project management committee said its construction will begin immediately in readiness for the September intake.
Mr Ranguma said the county government will hire some teaching staff as well as provide the basic laboratory equipment for learning to kick-off as planned.
"My intention was to have this college established here because we already have a revamped Kombewa hospital. This facility will enable those interested in taking medical courses to pursue their dream as well as our health practitioners to scale up their careers," said Ranguma.
Ranguma said he is still pursuing two more medical training colleges with the national government to cater for the growing need of such facilities in the area.
"Kisumu being the head quarter of the entire Western region must act as an industry that manufactures health personnel to help in the provision of health services. As a county government, we recruited 500 health workers last year and the interviews for 300 more are underway. This underscores the need for medical training colleges," he added.
Ranguma also explained that during his official trip to the US last week as the chairman of the Health Committee in the Council of Governors, Sh1.9 billion was secured to boost provision of primary health.
The governor however lamented that the national government has not reimbursed the money meant for provision of free maternal health saying the state has left the burden to county governments.
"Why do we have a lot of money allocated to the Ministry of Health at the national government yet health is a devolved function? Why can't the govt give enough money to counties to fund health services? " he posed.
The event was also attended by Senator Anyang Nyongo and Seme MP James Nyikal.
Nyikal said he is also supporting the establishment of the facility.