The Defence College of Health Science (DCHS) on 14th June 2024, at Ulinzi Sports Complex – Langata, held a Candle Lighting Ceremony, marking an end-of-course for Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing 2023 class, Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery 2022 class and Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (Basic) 2021 class.

DCHS is a college of National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) tasked to address the healthcare needs of security personnel in a changing and complex operating environment through building capacity for KDF medical personnel by providing training of highly skilled health professional. It also provides continuous professional development programs for the KDF peresonnel with emphasis on excellence, research and Innovation to facilitate requisite health care delivery.

The momentous occasion, signifies the completion of nursing courses in the various cohorts for 48 Medical graduates, among them 46 service members drawn from the KDF services and 2 from National Intelligence Services (NIS). The nurses are now set to graduate in the 2nd NDU-K graduation ceremony in November this year.

During the ceremony, the graduates participated in traditional candle lighting and oath-taking ceremonies which are customary in initiating the qualified nurses into the nursing cadre.
In his remarks, the Director Medical Services (DMS) Major General (Dr) George Ng'ang'a commended the high standards achieved by the college expressing confidence that the graduates will provide the best healthcare services to their patients in their future deployments.

He challenged the College leadership to cast their net wider by offering additional training programmes in the medical field saying his Directorate will continue to offer unwavering support.
The NDU-K Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academic and Student Affairs, Prof Ann Muigai applauded DCHS for successfully running the programmes and the tremendous milestone attained. "I encourage all of you to put to use all the knowledge acquired during your courses and innovate where necessary," she added.
DCHS Principal, Colonel Hellen Kamotho thanked NDU-K leadership for their support saying it has given a wonderful platform to widen the scope of training from just offering Certificate and Diploma programs to Higher Diploma in specialized areas which have tremendously reduced the cost of training to KDF medical personnel in other institutions.

Col. Kamotho further stated that DCHS is preparing to launch its First NDU-K Degree programme, the Bachelors of Science in Nursing with Military Health following its recent successful accreditation by Commission for University Education (CUE).
NDU-K Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research, Innovation and Security Studies Major General William Shume, the Chief Executive Officer Nursing Council of Kenya Ann Mukuna were among other senior officers who attended the ceremony.