Health Sciences

Master of Medicine in Reproductive Health

The Master of Medicine in Reproductive Health is a postgraduate medical specialty programme that trains medical doctors to become specialists in reproductive health. The programme prepares graduates to manage reproductive health conditions, provide comprehensive maternal and reproductive care, and conduct reproductive health research in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include reproductive endocrinology, maternal health, family planning, infertility management, adolescent reproductive health, reproductive tract infections, safe motherhood, obstetric fistula management, reproductive health policy, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and extensive clinical practice in reproductive health settings.

The programme is offered by numerous universities across Kenya, with Moi University as a college. Moi University offers MMed Reproductive Health through its School of Medicine, with a four-year full-time programme at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The programme addresses reproductive health challenges in the East African region.

Students develop competencies in reproductive health assessment, managing infertility, providing family planning services, managing reproductive tract infections, adolescent reproductive health care, safe motherhood interventions, obstetric fistula repair, reproductive health programme management, and reproductive health research. The programme includes coursework, clinical rotations, examinations, and a research dissertation.

The programme is delivered over four years with full-time residency mode at Moi University, with training at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Applicants must have worked for at least one year after internship and pass admission interviews. The programme is designed for medical doctors seeking to specialise in reproductive health.

Graduates pursue careers as reproductive health specialists, maternal health consultants, family planning programme directors, infertility specialists, adolescent reproductive health specialists, and academic reproductive health specialists in hospitals, reproductive health centres, medical schools, and health ministries.

Skills Required

Reproductive Health Assessment and Management
Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment
Family Planning Services and Counselling
Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood Care
Adolescent Reproductive Health Management
Reproductive Tract Infection Management
Obstetric Fistula Repair and Management
Reproductive Health Programme Management
Reproductive Health Policy and Advocacy
Reproductive Health Research and Scholarship

Key Subjects

Reproductive Endocrinology
Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood
Family Planning and Contraception
Infertility Management
Adolescent Reproductive Health
Reproductive Tract Infections
Obstetric Fistula Management
Reproductive Health Policy
Reproductive Health Programme Management
Reproductive Health Research Methods

Certifications

KMPDC Specialist Registration in Reproductive Health
IPPF Reproductive Health Certification

Specializations

Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology

Focuses on infertility diagnosis and treatment, reproductive endocrinology, assisted reproduction techniques, and managing hormonal disorders affecting reproduction.

Maternal Health

Examines maternal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, safe motherhood interventions, antenatal and postnatal care, and reducing maternal mortality.

Adolescent Reproductive Health

Covers adolescent reproductive health, managing teenage pregnancy, adolescent contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and providing youth-friendly reproductive health services.

Family Planning

Focuses on family planning services, contraceptive technology, counselling, managing contraceptive complications, and implementing family planning programmes.

Reproductive Tract Infections

Examines reproductive tract infections, managing STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV in reproductive health, and preventing and treating reproductive tract infections.

Reproductive Health Policy and Programme Management

Covers reproductive health policy, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and implementing population-level reproductive health interventions.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Reproductive Endocrinology
Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood
Family Planning and Contraception
Infertility Management
Adolescent Reproductive Health
Reproductive Tract Infections
Obstetric Fistula Management
Reproductive Health Policy
Reproductive Health Programme Management
Reproductive Health Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines reproductive biology, reproductive endocrinology, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, reproductive hormones, and applied reproductive physiology.
Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers maternal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, antenatal and postnatal care, safe motherhood interventions, and reducing maternal mortality.
Family Planning and Contraception
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines family planning methods, contraceptive technology, counselling, managing contraceptive complications, and implementing family planning programmes.
Infertility Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers infertility diagnosis and treatment, male and female infertility evaluation, assisted reproduction principles, and managing reproductive endocrine disorders.
Adolescent Reproductive Health
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines adolescent reproductive health, managing teenage pregnancy, adolescent contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and providing youth-friendly reproductive health services.
Reproductive Tract Infections and STIs
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers reproductive tract infections, managing STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV in reproductive health, and preventing and treating reproductive tract infections.
Obstetric Fistula and Reproductive Health Surgery
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines obstetric fistula management, performing fistula repair surgery, managing other reproductive health surgical conditions, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Reproductive Health Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods in reproductive health, epidemiology of reproductive health issues, designing research studies, and analysing reproductive health data.
Reproductive Health Policy and Programme Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers reproductive health policy, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and implementing population-level reproductive health interventions.
Research Dissertation
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research dissertation on a reproductive health topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and reproductive health knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology
Focuses on infertility diagnosis and treatment, reproductive endocrinology, assisted reproduction techniques, and managing hormonal disorders affecting reproduction.
Maternal Health
Examines maternal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, safe motherhood interventions, antenatal and postnatal care, and reducing maternal mortality.
Adolescent Reproductive Health
Covers adolescent reproductive health, managing teenage pregnancy, adolescent contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and providing youth-friendly reproductive health services.
Family Planning
Focuses on family planning services, contraceptive technology, counselling, managing contraceptive complications, and implementing family planning programmes.
Reproductive Tract Infections
Examines reproductive tract infections, managing STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV in reproductive health, and preventing and treating reproductive tract infections.
Reproductive Health Policy and Programme Management
Covers reproductive health policy, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and implementing population-level reproductive health interventions.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MMed Reproductive Health residency begins with morning ward rounds where residents assess patients with reproductive health conditions, including high-risk pregnancies, post-abortion care, and obstetric fistula patients. Clinic sessions involve providing family planning services, infertility consultations, adolescent reproductive health counselling, and managing reproductive tract infections. Residents perform reproductive health procedures including fistula repair, contraceptive implant insertion, and management of reproductive health complications under consultant supervision. Academic sessions include lectures on reproductive endocrinology, maternal health, and case discussions linking clinical findings to management plans. Community outreach sessions involve reproductive health education, family planning campaigns, and adolescent health programmes. Journal clubs review recent reproductive health research. Residents rotate through various settings including maternal health units, family planning clinics, infertility services, and adolescent health centres. Research methodology sessions prepare residents for their dissertation. The programme at Moi University is based at the School of Medicine with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital access. The four-year programme culminates in MMed examinations and dissertation defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya has significant reproductive health challenges including high maternal mortality and unmet family planning needs, creating high demand for specialists.
Programme offers diverse career paths including infertility, maternal health, adolescent health, family planning, and reproductive health policy.
Moi University programme is well-established with training at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, a major referral centre in western Kenya.
Reproductive health attracts significant donor funding from UNFPA, WHO, and IPPF, creating additional career and research opportunities.

Against it

Four-year full-time residency requires significant time commitment and may limit income during training years.
Only Moi University offers established MMed Reproductive Health training, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
Reproductive health work can be emotionally demanding, especially managing obstetric fistula and maternal health complications.
Reproductive health may be confused with obstetrics and gynaecology, potentially limiting professional recognition as a distinct specialty.

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

Public187k to 187k

187k at Moi University187k at Moi 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

Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum, som.mu.ac.ke). UoN/UoK unverified. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNFPA provides reproductive health grants for developing countries. IPPF offers training grants for reproductive health professionals. The programme's critical reproductive health needs in Kenya attract health sector and donor funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UNFPA Reproductive Health Grants
IPPF Training Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate medical studies at recognised universities.
UNFPA Reproductive Health Grants
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
UNFPA provides reproductive health grants for developing countries to strengthen reproductive health systems and train professionals.
IPPF Training Grants
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
IPPF offers training grants for reproductive health professionals in developing countries pursuing reproductive health specialisation.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for medical doctors seeking to specialise in reproductive health. Four-year full-time residency at Moi University School of Medicine with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital access. Application forms available at www.mu.ac.ke with non-refundable application fee of KES 2,000.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Clinical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Ongoing clinical assessment during residency rotations, evaluating reproductive health assessment, procedure skills, patient management, and professional conduct.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering reproductive endocrinology, maternal health, family planning, infertility, and clinical scenarios, conducted at end of each academic year.
OSCE and Practical Examinations
Practical30% of the mark
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations and practical assessments evaluating reproductive health skills, procedures, counselling, and clinical reasoning.
Research Dissertation
Research100% of the mark
Original research dissertation on a reproductive health topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and reproductive health knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Moi University's MMed Reproductive Health is offered through its School of Medicine at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The programme meets KMPDC standards for specialist training in reproductive health.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University's MMed Reproductive Health is offered through its School of Medicine at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC)
Professional accreditationRequired
KMPDC accredits and regulates medical specialty training. Graduates must register with KMPDC as specialist reproductive health practitioners to practise in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Reproductive Health Specialist
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 1,000,000
Provides reproductive health services in hospitals and health centres, managing family planning, infertility, and reproductive health conditions.
Maternal Health Consultant
High demandKsh 320,000 to Ksh 1,100,000
Specialises in maternal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, safe motherhood programmes, and reducing maternal mortality in hospitals and health systems.
Family Planning Programme Director
High demandKsh 280,000 to Ksh 950,000
Directs family planning programmes in health organisations, managing service delivery, training, monitoring, and implementing population-level family planning interventions.
Infertility Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 1,200,000
Specialises in infertility diagnosis and treatment, managing male and female infertility, and providing assisted reproduction services.
Adolescent Reproductive Health Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 280,000 to Ksh 900,000
Specialises in adolescent reproductive health, managing teenage pregnancy, adolescent contraception, and providing youth-friendly reproductive health services.
Academic Reproductive Health Specialist
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 800,000
Teaches reproductive health in medical schools, conducting reproductive health research, training residents, and providing clinical reproductive health services.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as reproductive health specialists, maternal health consultants, family planning programme directors, and infertility specialists in hospitals and reproductive health centres.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Ultrasound Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Ultrasound machine for reproductive health imaging, assessing pregnancies, evaluating infertility, and diagnosing reproductive health conditions.
Colposcope
EquipmentPrimary
Colposcope for examining the cervix, diagnosing cervical abnormalities, and performing colposcopy in reproductive health practice.
Contraceptive Implant Insertion Kit
Equipment
Contraceptive implant insertion kit for providing long-acting reversible contraception services in family planning practice.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for reproductive health research, analysing programme data, and conducting epidemiological studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Reproductive health is just about family planning.
Reproductive health covers infertility, maternal health, adolescent health, reproductive tract infections, obstetric fistula, reproductive cancers, and reproductive health policy, far beyond family planning.
Reproductive health is only relevant to women.
Reproductive health addresses both male and female reproductive health, including male infertility, prostate conditions, and male involvement in family planning and reproductive health.
Reproductive health has limited surgical components.
Reproductive health includes surgical procedures such as obstetric fistula repair, caesarean sections, infertility surgery, and management of reproductive health complications.
This programme is the same as obstetrics and gynaecology.
While related, reproductive health focuses on broader reproductive health issues including family planning, adolescent health, and reproductive health policy, while obstetrics and gynaecology is a separate surgical specialty.
Reproductive health has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya has significant reproductive health challenges including high maternal mortality and unmet family planning needs, creating high demand for reproductive health specialists.
Reproductive health is becoming less relevant with improving health systems.
Reproductive health remains critically important in Kenya with persistent maternal mortality, adolescent pregnancy, and unmet family planning needs requiring specialist intervention.