What drives me is making a difference where I can

Tell us a little about yourself

A Kenya Medical Association (KMA) chairperson, a family physician for 18 years, a wife, a mother of two teenage boys and an all-round Kenyan citizen. 

What does your job entail?

As the chair of KMA, which is the umbrella body of all doctors and dentists in Kenya, I ensure that our mandate of giving quality health care to Kenyans is met. As a physician, I treat all range of patients from grandmother to newborn. I do private consultation as well. 

What is your ideal day like?

I wake up at 6am and have my morning jog, back to my shower and by 8am I leave for work. On the day I have KMA work, I get up early for the meeting before I get to hospital work. At times I also teach at the Aga Khan hospital paediatric classes. 

You are the first woman to head the KMA. How is it?

Being a woman and the first one ever since it was formed, the journey will always be different. This is my first year. There are people who choose not to be part of you and still hold you to account. I have got support from my colleagues. It has been exciting. There was a lot of expectation but I must say we are managing. I stood in the middle between two warring sides that was the doctors and the government during the 100 days strike and I must say we succeeded.

How long do you expect to be at KMA leadership?

The term is two years which ends in 2018 and eligible for two years. I am hoping to aspire and hold the office for four years; why not? 

Governors have refused to pay doctors for the period they were on strike, what’s your take?

Let us do what is just and what has been done to other people. The governors know what should be done. 

Do you think the government is treating the doctors well?

In terms of human resources it is an area that needs to be looked into and working environment improved. We need to get to know the challenges doctors face and how to solve them. These cannot be implemented in a day. 

Why did you choose this specialty?

It is one of those things I wanted to do when I was seven years old. Several of my uncles were doctors so I looked after them. I would witness a child walk into a hospital seriously sick and leaving when they were well. I wanted to make a difference to the community around me. 

How long have you been a family physician?

This is my 13th year. 

How do you handle workload stress and emergency situations?

Emergencies are my priorities. Work load comes later 

What are your weaknesses and strengths?

Weakness: I am a perfectionist wanting to do things on my own. With the workload, I have to identify the right person and delegate as I build others as well.

Strength: Being able to bring people together, networking, solving issues and creating peace. 

Describe your successful accomplishments.

Last month, I got an award for women living deliberately, looking at women who are in leadership and  in family line and at the same time keeping their family and work going. I have succeeded in getting professionals together like doctors during the 100 days strike. It is possible in a crisis for people to go different directions, but we were together. 

Who is your role model?

There are so many different ways of looking at role models. In the Bible Paul is my role model. This is someone I would like to meet in case he still exists. He understood God deeply and expounded the same to others. 

What do you do at your free time?

Weekends when I am free I do long runs and make time to interact with my family.

I also love to read fiction books, a moment to get out of reality and day to day work. 

What has been your biggest challenge in the medical field?

Working in the public sector which I have since stopped. A very challenging environment to work in. Equipment not available. We lost patients that we should not have lost because of lack of resources. 

What are the challenges in the health system?

Human resources, health care financing, leadership and governance. The counties and national government to work with professionals to address the issues if we are to change the health system. 

What drives you?

Making a difference where I can. 

What’s your take on women who want to join medicine?

It’s an amazing place to be in terms of making a difference in people’s life. As a woman you have several roles. We can integrate all of them and work at the same time. 

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Just speaking to people, understanding their needs and getting to know their illness and solving their problems.  I love getting the patients to embrace their condition and manage their illnesses. The empowerment makes me feel that I have made a difference. 

Tell us about your family

I have two boys aged 17 and 14. My husband is a practicing lawyer, he’s my number one supporter more so when am struggling. 

How do you balance between your job and family?

I try to set boundaries. I do not carry any work home. When I get home it’s time to be with family and mostly weekends its family time. During holidays and conference time I go with them. 

What’s your favourite meal?

Matoke with groundnuts. I know how to prepare it. I love to cook for my family. 

What do you spend most of your money on?

Things for the family. 

What are your future plans?

In terms of where we are in the health system, leadership and governance needs to be worked on to transform our health system.