Health Sciences

Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology

The Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology is a three-year KMTC programme examined by KNEC that prepares learners for careers in health information management. The course covers medical records management, health information systems, medical terminology, health statistics, disease classification, and electronic health records.

Students develop competencies in patient registration, records filing and retrieval, ICD-10 coding, health data collection and analysis, database management, and computerised health information systems including KenyaEMR and DHIS2. The programme also covers human anatomy, pathology, epidemiology, health systems management, and research methods, ensuring graduates understand both the clinical and technological aspects of health information.

Kenya's healthcare sector is undergoing rapid digitalisation, with the government rolling out electronic health records across public health facilities. The Kenya Health Information System, DHIS2 platform, and increasing adoption of digital health tools have created strong demand for qualified health records professionals who can manage patient data accurately and maintain health information systems.

The programme combines classroom instruction with computer laboratory practicals, clinical skills demonstrations, and supervised clinical attachment. Students train in KMTC campuses with health information software, practice coding and classification, and undertake clinical placements in hospital records departments. Assessment includes continuous evaluations, written examinations, and clinical competency assessments.

Graduates find employment as health records officers, medical records managers, health information technologists, coding specialists, and health data analysts. They work in hospitals, clinics, county health departments, NGOs, health insurance companies, and research institutions. Registration with the Health Records and Information Management Board enhances professional recognition.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C (plain), C- in Mathematics, and D+ in Biology who are detail-oriented, organised, and interested in healthcare and information technology. Proficiency in computer applications and analytical skills are advantageous for success in health records management.

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 Records
Health Information Technology
Medical Coding
Database Management
EHR Systems
Health Data Security
Healthcare Software
Health Data Analytics

Modules

12 in the programme

Health Records and IT Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of health records management, health IT systems, and the health information technology profession in Kenya's healthcare sector.
Medical Records Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practice of managing patient medical records, including filing systems, records retention, and health information governance.
Medical Terminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Standard medical terminology used in health documentation, including anatomical, pathological, and procedural terms for health records practice.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Health communication, IT communication, and professional interaction skills for health records and information management practice.
Computer Systems and Networks
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Computer hardware, operating systems, networks, and IT infrastructure for healthcare facilities and health information systems.
Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Health IT consultancy, technology services, and entrepreneurial skills for health information management business ventures and enterprises.
Health Statistics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Collection, compilation, analysis, and reporting of health facility statistics for planning, monitoring, and evaluating health services.
Medical Terminology and Anatomy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, and medical science foundations for health records and information technology practice.
Health Records Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Health records management systems, patient registration procedures, records filing, retrieval, and health information governance practices.
Database Management Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Database management, SQL query language, database design, and relational database administration for health information systems.
Computerised Health Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical use of electronic health record systems, including KenyaEMR, DHIS2, and hospital information management software applications.
Institutional Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised clinical placement in a hospital records department applying health records management and IT skills in healthcare settings.

Specialisations

Health Data Analytics
Analyze health data and produce analytics reports, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
EHR Administration
Administer and manage EHR systems in healthcare, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
Health Data Security
Manage health data security and ensure data protection, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Digital Health
Implement and manage digital health and telemedicine solutions, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Medical Records Management
Focus on the accurate management and confidentiality of patient records, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Health Information Systems
Focus on digital health data systems and health statistics, 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 records and IT, combined with practical sessions in computer labs and hospital IT departments. Activities include EHR system administration, database management, medical coding, health data analytics, system configuration, network support, data security, and software troubleshooting. Industrial attachment at hospitals, health tech companies, or county health departments provides real-world experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Digital health transformation creates strong demand for health IT professionals
Growing relevance as Kenya digitises health records under Universal Health Coverage reforms.
Combines healthcare knowledge with transferable data and information management skills.
Pathway to degree in health informatics or IT

Against it

Requires both health knowledge and technical IT skills
Rapidly evolving technology requires continuous learning
Handles highly sensitive patient data, requiring strict confidentiality and accuracy standards.
Career progression to more senior health informatics roles typically requires further study.

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 courses

Public118k to 122k

118k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 2+122k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 1

Private72k to 150k

72k at College of Human Resource Management150k at WICHS University

Annual 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

KMTC self-spon 122K Y1, 118K Y2+ public. CHRM 72K, WICHS 150K/yr private (tvet.co.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

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in TVET-accredited programmes.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Needy students in respective constituencies.

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, IT, Computer Science, or related field from a recognized institution.

Mathematics
D
English or Kiswahili
C-

How you are assessed

6 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across health records and information systems units.
Practical Records Management Assessments
Coursework20% of the mark
Assessed hands-on records management and IT system exercises.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment: EHR operation, database management, or system configuration.
Module Examination
Exam50% of the mark
KNEC modular examination at the end of each module.
Continuous Assessment
Cat20% of the mark
Internal continuous assessment including assignments, lab exercises, and IT projects.

Accreditation

Accredited by TVETA. Examined by KNEC (modular system). This programme has a stronger IT focus than the basic health records diploma.

Accredited by

Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's health training framework; delivered primarily through KMTC.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional accreditationRequired
Accredits institutions offering health IT training.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination and certificationRequired
Examining body for health IT programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

7 roles

Health IT Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Manage health IT systems, support EHR systems, and provide IT support in healthcare settings.
Health Records Technologist
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manage health records technology, operate EHR systems, and ensure data quality and security.
Health Data Analyst
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 95,000
Analyze health data, produce health reports, and support data-driven healthcare decisions.
EHR Administrator
Medium demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Administer EHR systems, manage user access, configure workflows, and ensure system performance.
Health Records Officer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Manages patient records and documentation for a hospital or health facility.
Health Information Technician
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 42,000
Supports health information systems and data quality for a health facility.
Health Insurance Claims Officer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Processes health insurance claims using medical records and coding knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as health IT officers, health records technologists, EHR administrators, health data analysts, and systems support officers in hospitals, county governments, health tech companies, NHIF, and NGOs. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000-95,000.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

KenyaEMR
Database
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet tool for health data analysis, patient registers, and statistical reporting.
ICD-10 Coding System
Classification tool
International Classification of Diseases for coding diagnoses and health conditions.
SPSS
Statistical software
DHIS2
Health information system
Microscope
Laboratory equipmentPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Health records IT is just using computers in hospitals.
Health records and information technology covers database management, EHR systems, health data security, healthcare software, network administration, and health data analytics — it is a health IT discipline combining healthcare and technology.
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.