Diploma in Health Records and Information Management
The Diploma in Health Records and Information Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in diploma in health records and information management. The programme falls under the Health Sciences category and typically spans 3 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
The curriculum covers Health Information Management, Health Informatics, Health Data Governance, Medical Coding, Healthcare Statistics, EHR Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Biochemistry, Biology, Clinical Research Management, Disease Surveillance, Epidemiology. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Communication Skills, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Information, Entrepreneurship, Health Records Management, Health Systems and Policy. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.
The programme offers specialisations in Health Data Governance, Health Information Management, Health Informatics. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.
Graduates of the Diploma in Health Records and Information Management pursue careers as Health Informatics Officer, Health Data Officer, Health Records Manager, Health Information Manager. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.
- Duration
- 3 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 122,200
- Private, up to
- Ksh 150,000
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
8 subjects- Health Information Management
- Health Informatics
- Health Data Governance
- Medical Coding
- Healthcare Statistics
- EHR Management
- Health Systems
- Project Management
Modules
12 in the programmeHealth Information Management Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Health information management principles, health information profession for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Health communication, management communication, and professional communication for professional practice and competency development in the field.
ICT and Health Informatics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Health informatics, health IT, EHR systems, DHIS2, and health information for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Health information consultancy, health data services, and entrepreneurial for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Medical Terminology and Anatomy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and medical science for health for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Health Records Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Health records management, records administration, patient registration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Medical Coding and Classification
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical coding, ICD-10, ICD-11, classification systems, and disease for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Healthcare Statistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Healthcare statistics, health indicators, morbidity, mortality for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electronic Health Records Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
EHR management, EHR systems, EHR implementation, EHR standards for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Health Data Governance and Quality
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Data governance, data quality, data standards, data protection for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Project Management for Health Information
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Project management, health information projects, M&E, and project for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Research Methods in Health
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods, health research, data collection, statistical analysis for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Health Informatics
Manage health informatics systems and digital health solutions, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Health Data Governance
Manage health data governance and ensure data quality, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Medical Coding
Apply medical coding and classification systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
Health Information Management
Manage health information departments and operations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
A day as a student
Students attend theory lectures on health information management, combined with practical sessions in computer labs and hospital information departments. Activities include EHR system management, health data analysis, medical coding, health statistics, data governance, research, health system evaluation, and project management. Industrial attachment at hospitals, Ministry of Health, or health NGOs provides real-world experience.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Digital health transformation creates strong demand
- Management role with better earning potential
- Pathway to degree in health information management or public health
Against it
- Requires both health knowledge and IT skills
- Handling sensitive patient data requires strict compliance
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 67K, KMTC 122K/yr public. CHRM 72K, WICHS 150K/yr private (chrm.or.ke, wichs).
HELB TVET loans available (KES 40,000-60,000 per year). Under the new funding model, government scholarships cover 38-82% of fees depending on need category. NG-CDF and county bursaries also available.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
NG-CDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedNG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Needy students in respective constituencies.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in TVET-accredited programmes.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C- (Minus)
- Alternative entry
- Certificate in Health Records, Medical Records, Information Management, or related field from a recognized institution.
English or Kiswahili
C-
Biology or Mathematics
D
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Cat20% of the mark
Internal continuous assessment including assignments, practical exercises, and management projects.
Practical Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment: EHR operation, data analysis, or health information project.
Module Examination
Exam60% of the mark
KNEC modular examination at the end of each module.
Accreditation
Accredited by TVETA. Examined by KNEC (modular system). This is a more advanced programme than the basic health records diploma, with greater emphasis on management and informatics.
Accredited by
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination and certificationRequired
Examining body for health information management programmes.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional accreditationRequired
Accredits institutions offering health information management training.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHealth Informatics Officer
Medium demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 95,000
Manage health informatics systems, support digital health, and implement health IT solutions.
Health Data Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manage health data, analyze health indicators, produce reports, and support data-driven decision-making.
Health Records Manager
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Manage health records operations, oversee records staff, and ensure records compliance and quality.
Health Information Manager
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manage health information departments, oversee EHR systems, ensure data quality, and lead health information operations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as health information managers, health records managers, health data officers, health informatics officers, and M&E officers in hospitals, county governments, Ministry of Health, NGOs, and health insurance companies. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000-95,000.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist Assistant (Junior)Health Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Google Workspace
Productivity suite
OpenMRS
Database
ODK (Open Data Kit)
Database
KenyaEMR
Medical
Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Excel
Spreadsheet
SQL
Database
DHIS2
Health information systemPrimary
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Health information management is just data entry.
Health information management covers health informatics, data governance, medical coding, healthcare statistics, EHR management, health systems, research methods, and project management — it is a health information leadership and management discipline.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Health Records and Information Management are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.