Eldoret: The University of Eldoret administration, in collaboration with the US-based Life University and partners, has finalized arrangements to roll out the first-ever degree course in Chiropractic care in Kenya. While speaking during the launch of Chiropractic awareness and outreach mission at the UoE's Main Campus in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot welcomed the partnership between the two universities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Prof. Cheruiyot noted that through the chiropractic experience and support from Life University, UoE would be able to offer a Bachelor of Science in Sports Health Science degree, which includes a focus on chiropractic care. This programme is a joint academic initiative with Life University, an institution known for its chiropractic expertise. The programme aims to prepare students for careers in sports health, with a specific emphasis on chiropractic principles and practices.
Prof. Cheruiyot affirmed that the institution has set aside sufficient resources in the Department of Health Sciences to ensure the Chiropractic curriculum is successful, serving both the surrounding communities in Uasin Gishu and the neighboring counties of Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet, which are home to athletic professionals. He expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting its potential impact on the community, particularly athletes who frequently suffer from injuries.
In his remarks, the President of Life University and Chiropractic and Applied Physiology Expert, Dr. Rob Scott, explained their health perspective, emphasizing the importance of the nervous system's communication with the brain and the spinal cord. He elaborated on chiropractic care's role in maintaining the body's self-healing mechanisms and the significance of the spine in assessing health.
Dr. Scott stressed that the initiative, supported by the Chiropractic Association of Kenya, aims to foster chiropractic care "by Kenyans for Kenyans." This collaboration is viewed as an opportunity to enhance chiropractic practice in the region, with experienced professionals supporting the local community.
Dr. Margaret Stower from the Chiropractic Association of Kenya expressed her support for the initiative, noting the limited number of chiropractic schools on the continent and the pressing need for investment in chiropractic care in Kenya. She emphasized the association's full backing for UoE's new programme.
The introduction of the Chiropractic programme at UoE has been well-received by the administration, partners, and local leadership, including governors from Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi. The programme has been praised for its potential to enhance athletes' performance through natural healing and to prevent sports injuries, promoting better healthcare for athletes without the need for medical treatment.
Life University, recognized as the largest Chiropractic and Holistic Health and Wellness College globally, aims to increase its reach through partnerships like this one with the University of Eldoret. The institutions' collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2021, seeks to promote sustainable academic cooperation and exchange between faculty, researchers, and students.
The partnership has seen mutual visits between the universities' representatives, fostering a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the Chiropractic programme in Kenya.