You have worked hard through your medical or health sciences diploma programme. Now the time has come to apply for your industrial attachment - a mandatory step in completing your qualification at colleges like ICMHS, KMTC, and other TVETA-regulated institutions across Kenya and East Africa.

But here is where many students get stuck: writing the attachment application letter.

A poorly written letter can cost you your preferred placement - even if you are academically strong. This guide provides ready-to-use attachment application letter samples and templates specifically tailored for medical and health sciences students in Kenya and East Africa, covering specialisations such as Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory, and more.

Whether you are applying to a government hospital, NGO, county health facility, or private clinic, this guide has you covered.

What is an Attachment Application Letter?

An attachment application letter (also called an industrial attachment letter or internship application letter) is a formal document you write to a hospital, clinic, health facility, or organisation requesting a placement for your mandatory practical training period.

In Kenya, industrial or clinical attachment is a requirement for all TVETA-accredited diploma and certificate programmes.

At ICMHS, for example, students in courses such as Clinical Medicine, Perioperative Theatre Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, and Nursing must complete a structured attachment period at approved health facilities before they can sit their final examinations or graduate.

Your attachment application letter serves three purposes:

1. It introduces you professionally to the receiving institution.
2. It communicates your area of study and the duration of attachment you require.
3. It creates the first impression that determines whether you get your preferred placement.

Correct Format of an Attachment Application Letter in Kenya

According to ICMHS, Kenyan health institutions - particularly government hospitals and county facilities - expect a strict formal letter structure. The correct format has six parts:

Part 1 - Your Details (Top of Letter)

Include: full name, admission number, programme name, college name (ICMHS), P.O. Box, town, phone number, email, and date. This tells the reader immediately who you are and where you study.

Part 2 - Recipient's Details

Address to a specific role. Use "The Medical Superintendent" for hospitals, "The Director of Nursing Services" for nursing, "The Laboratory Manager" for lab placements, or "The Nutrition Officer" for nutrition programmes. Always include the facility name and postal address.

Part 3 - Subject Line

Write in uppercase. Be specific. Example: RE: APPLICATION FOR CLINICAL ATTACHMENT - DIPLOMA IN CLINICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY, YEAR TWO. A vague subject line like "RE: ATTACHMENT" will not stand out.

Part 4 - Body (Three Paragraphs Only)

• Paragraph 1: Who you are, your programme, and your college.
• Paragraph 2: Why you are writing, your exact attachment dates, and the specific departments you want to rotate through.
• Paragraph 3: Brief mention of your strengths, list of attached documents, and a polite request for a favourable response.

Part 5 - Closing

Use "Yours faithfully," when you do not know the recipient by name. Use "Yours sincerely," only when you have addressed the letter to a named individual.

Part 6 - Signature Block

Follow with your handwritten or digital signature, printed full name, and admission number.

Pro Tip: Keep the letter to exactly one page. Medical superintendents and HR officers receive dozens of student applications monthly. A letter longer than one page is rarely read in full.

TEMPLATE 1: Clinical Medicine and Surgery Attachment Letter

For: Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery students applying to hospitals. Replace all [square brackets] with your actual details.

[Your Full Name] Adm No: [Your Admission Number] Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery - Year [X] Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS) P.O. Box [XXXX] - [Postal Code], Thika, Kenya Tel: [0700 000 000] | Email: [yourname@email.com]

[Date - e.g., 19th February 2026]

The Medical Superintendent [Hospital Name] P.O. Box [XXXX] - [Postal Code], [Town]

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR CLINICAL ATTACHMENT - DIPLOMA IN CLINICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY

I am writing to respectfully request a clinical attachment opportunity at [Hospital Name].

My name is [Full Name], and I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery (Year [X]) at Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika - a TVETA-accredited medical training institution in Kenya.

As part of my programme requirements, I am required to complete a clinical attachment of [duration, e.g., 3 months]. I am requesting a placement from [Start Date] to [End Date].

I hope to rotate through the Outpatient Department, Inpatient Medical and Surgical Wards, the Emergency Unit, and the Reproductive Health Clinic.

I am a disciplined student with a strong foundation in clinical diagnosis, patient history-taking, physical examination, and basic emergency management. I will uphold the professional standards and code of conduct of your facility throughout the attachment period.

Enclosed are my institution's introduction letter, student ID, and most recent academic transcript. I would be most grateful if my application receives your favourable consideration.

Yours faithfully,

[Handwritten Signature] [Full Name] Adm No: [XXXX]

TEMPLATE 2: Nursing (KRCHN) Attachment Letter

For: Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing students. Address to the Director of Nursing Services - not the Medical Superintendent.

[Full Name] Adm No: [XXXX] | Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (KRCHN) - Year [X] Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika Tel: [0700 000 000] | Email: [yourname@email.com]

[Date]

The Director of Nursing Services [Hospital Name] P.O. Box [XXXX] - [Postal Code], [Town]

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: REQUEST FOR CLINICAL ATTACHMENT - KENYA REGISTERED COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING (KRCHN)

I am [Full Name], a Year [X] student pursuing Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (KRCHN) at Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika, accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and regulated by TVETA.

I am requesting a clinical attachment placement at [Hospital Name] for [Duration], from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I am particularly interested in rotating through the Medical-Surgical Ward, Paediatrics, Maternity Unit, Community Nursing, and the Outpatient Department.

I am passionate about patient-centred care and committed to developing my competencies in clinical nursing assessment, wound care, drug administration, and health promotion. I will strictly observe your facility's infection control protocols and code of conduct.

Enclosed are my institution's introduction letter and student ID card. I kindly request you to consider my application favourably and confirm the placement at your convenience.

Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Full Name] | Adm No: [XXXX]

TEMPLATE 3: Medical Laboratory Sciences Attachment Letter

For: Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences students. Address to the Laboratory Manager or Head of Laboratory Department.

[Full Name] | Adm No: [XXXX] Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences - Year [X] Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika Tel: [0700 000 000] | Email: [yourname@email.com] | Date: [Date]

The Laboratory Manager / Head of Laboratory Department [Hospital / Research Institution Name] P.O. Box [XXXX] - [Postal Code], [Town]

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR LABORATORY ATTACHMENT - DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

I am [Full Name], currently in Year [X] of the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika. I am requesting a laboratory attachment placement at [Institution Name] for [Duration], from [Start Date] to [End Date].

My programme covers haematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, parasitology, blood banking, and histopathology. I am keen to apply this knowledge in your laboratory through real specimen processing, analysis, and result reporting under your team's supervision.

I am detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and committed to laboratory quality standards and patient confidentiality. Attached are my institution's introduction letter and student ID. I shall be most grateful if my application is considered favourably.

Yours faithfully,

[Signature] | [Full Name] | Adm No: [XXXX]

TEMPLATE 4: Nutrition and Dietetics Attachment Letter

For: Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics students applying to hospitals, NGOs, or county nutrition departments.

[Full Name] | Adm No: [XXXX] Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics - Year [X] Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika Tel: [0700 000 000] | Email: [yourname@email.com] | Date: [Date]

The Nutrition Officer / Medical Superintendent / Programme Director [Hospital / NGO / County Health Department Name] P.O. Box [XXXX] - [Postal Code], [Town]

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR ATTACHMENT - DIPLOMA IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

My name is [Full Name], and I am a Year [X] student enrolled in the Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics at Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), Thika. I am requesting an attachment placement at [Organisation Name] for [Duration], from [Start Date] to [End Date].

My training covers nutritional assessment, dietary counselling, therapeutic feeding, community nutrition, food safety, and management of acute malnutrition (IMAM protocols). I am particularly interested in [e.g., clinical nutrition ward work / community outreach /therapeutic feeding centres] at your organisation.

I am enthusiastic, professional, and committed to the ethical standards required in any health setting. Enclosed are my institution's introduction letter and student ID card. I look forward to your favourable response.

Yours faithfully, [Signature] | [Full Name] | Adm No: [XXXX]

7 Tips to Make Your Attachment Letter Stand Out

Many students use the same generic templates and get ignored. Here is how to make yours better:

• Personalise every letter: Do not send the same letter to 10 hospitals without any changes. Mention something specific about the facility - its specialisation, its location in your community, or its reputation.

• Mention your specific departments of interest: Instead of just saying you want "clinical experience," state that you are interested in rotating through the emergency unit, outpatient department, and medical ward.

• Get your institution's introduction letter first: Most hospitals will not process an attachment request that arrives without an official introductory letter from your college. Visit the ICMHS admissions office or academic department to obtain this before you start applying.

• State your exact dates: Facilities plan staffing around students. Always include specific start and end dates to make it easy for the HR or training department to process your application.

• Keep it to one page: A good attachment letter is concise and professional. Anything longer than one page loses the reader's attention.

• Proofread carefully: Spelling and grammar mistakes create a poor first impression, especially for a healthcare role where accuracy is critical. Ask a classmate or lecturer to review your letter before sending.

• Follow up: If you do not hear back within two weeks, call the facility politely or send a follow-up email. Many placements are secured through persistence.

Common Mistakes That Get Attachment Letters Rejected

Based on feedback from ICMHS partner hospitals and the college's clinical attachment team, these are the most frequent reasons student letters are rejected or ignored:

Mistake 1 - No Specific Dates

Hospitals plan student supervision in advance. "For three months starting soon" is not acceptable. Always state exact start and end dates.

Mistake 2 - No Institution Introduction Letter

Most government and county hospitals will not process an application without an official introduction letter from your college. Visit the ICMHS Academic Registrar's office before applying.

Mistake 3 - Generic, Unaddressed Letters

Sending the same letter to multiple facilities without personalising each one is immediately obvious. Address every letter to the correct role at the correct facility.

Mistake 4 - Spelling and Formatting Errors

Healthcare is a precision profession. Spelling mistakes signal poor attention to detail. Always proofread and ask a classmate or lecturer to review your letter before sending.

Mistake 5 - Applying Too Late

Apply at least six to eight weeks before your intended start date. High-demand facilities in Kiambu, Nakuru, and Nairobi receive dozens of applications weekly.

Pro Tip: Send your letter, then follow up with a polite phone call or email after 10 to 14 days if you have not received a response. Many placements are secured through professional persistence.

Supporting Documents Checklist

Your attachment application letter must be accompanied by the following documents. According to ICMHS clinical attachment guidelines, missing even one can delay or disqualify your application:

• Official institution introduction letter - Signed and stamped by the ICMHS Academic Registrar. Non-negotiable for government and county hospitals.

• Valid student ID card - Confirms enrolment at an accredited institution.

• Most recent academic transcript - Performance record for the current programme.

• National ID or passport copy - Required by county government facilities, referral hospitals, and NGOs.

• Student insurance certificate - ICMHS provides group accident insurance for enrolled students. Confirm currency with the administration office.

• Short CV (one page, optional but recommended) - List academic qualifications, relevant skills, and any health-related volunteer or co-curricular activities.

Pro Tip: Carry both physical and PDF copies of all documents. Some facilities require originals on your first day of attachment even after your letter has been accepted.

Conclusion

Your attachment application letter is more than a formality - it is your professional introduction to Kenya's healthcare system. A well-written, specific, and timely letter determines which hospital you train at, which departments you rotate through, and ultimately the quality of clinical experience you build before graduation.

The four templates in this guide - for Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and Nutrition and Dietetics - give you a proven, professionally structured starting point. Personalise every letter, include your exact dates, attach your institution's introduction letter, and apply early.

Most importantly, remember that your attachment is not just a requirement to tick off. It is your first real exposure to the Kenyan healthcare workforce. Approach it with discipline, curiosity, and professionalism - and it will shape the kind of health professional you become.

At ICMHS, we prepare our students not just academically but professionally - from writing their first attachment letter to stepping confidently into their role as qualified health professionals. If you are ready to begin that journey, we are ready to guide you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the correct format for an attachment application letter in Kenya?

The correct format includes: sender's details, recipient's details, an uppercase subject line, a three-paragraph body (introduction, purpose, closing request), and a "Yours faithfully" signature block. The letter must be one page, typed in Arial or Times New Roman, size 12. This is the standard expected by all Kenyan health facilities.

Q: How long should an attachment application letter be?

An attachment application letter in Kenya should be exactly one page - three to four short paragraphs. One well-structured page is the professional standard across all Kenyan health facilities and TVETA-regulated institutions.

Q: Can I apply for attachment via email?

Yes. Use the subject line: "Application for Clinical Attachment - [Programme] - [Your Name]." Paste your letter in the email body and attach PDF copies of all supporting documents including your institution's introduction letter and student ID.

Q: How early should I apply for attachment in Kenya?

Apply at least six to eight weeks before your start date. Government and county hospitals in Kiambu, Nakuru, and Nairobi are highly competitive. ICMHS advises students to apply to at least three facilities simultaneously to improve their chances.

Q: Do I need a separate letter for each hospital?

Yes. Every letter must be addressed specifically to each facility with the correct recipient title, hospital name, and postal address. A generic letter sent to multiple hospitals is easily identified and typically rejected.

Q: What if I have no prior work experience?

No work experience is needed. Highlight your academic record, skills from ICMHS simulation labs, community health activities, or co-curricular involvement. Facilities expect students with no experience - discipline and eagerness matter more at this stage.

Q: Which hospitals accept medical students for attachment in Kenya?

Common placements include Thika Level 5 Hospital, Nakuru County Referral Hospital, Kiambu County Hospital, KNH, mission hospitals, and NGOs like Amref. ICMHS students have access to a network of over 50 approved partner health facilities across Kenya.

Q: What is the difference between industrial attachment and clinical rotation at ICMHS?

Industrial attachment is arranged by students using this letter - placed at partner facilities independently. Clinical rotation is college-coordinated, where ICMHS formally arranges placements at over 50 partner hospitals as part of the structured curriculum. Both are mandatory.