From wanting to be a chef, to pursuing medicine: Meet Dr Joy Mugambi

Recently Nakuru has been on the global map, thanks to one of her own, Dr. Joy Mugambi.

Dr. Joy has been elected as the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), a prestigious role she takes on after two successful terms as the Vice President for the East, Central, and Southern African region.

In an exclusive interview with Mtaa Wangu (MW), Dr. Joy shares her vision for the future, discussing the changes she hopes to bring to her new role and the ways Nakuru County stands to benefit from this global recognition.

MW: Dr. Joy, first and foremost congratulations on clinching such a prestigious position as the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth Medical Association. How does it feel to take on this role, and what does it mean for you?

Dr. Joy: Thank you so much! It’s an honour, and honestly, it still feels surreal. As much as this is personal, it also feels like a collective victory for our region, for Nakuru, and for all those who have supported me along the way. It’s a dream come true, and I’m excited about the opportunity to influence positive change, not just in the medical field, but across communities in the Commonwealth.

MW: Growing up, tell us how you got into medicine, was this even in the books for you?

Dr. Joy: (laughs) I had no interest in medicine at all when I was younger. I grew up in a family of medicine- my mother was a nurse, but my father was a chef.

I was always more interested in cooking and hospitality, so that’s the path I thought I’d follow.

But my mum saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. She believed I had the skills and potential for medicine, so she would often take me to her clinic and involve me in the day-to-day running of the reception area. I helped out there and got a little glimpse into the world of healthcare, though it was more of a background interest at that time.

Much later, just before I was preparing for college, I also worked as a receptionist at my uncle’s practice, who is a medical practitioner. That’s when I really began to see the value and impact of healthcare in people’s lives and gradually realized that there was something deeply fulfilling about the work.

MW: So when it came to choosing schools was medicine your first choice?

Dr. Joy: I applied to Utalii College and got in but at the same time I went to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and got accepted too (laughs). At this point, the decision wasn’t hard, and I decided to go to KMTC in port Reitz and started off with a Diploma in Clinical Medicine. As I practiced I found a passion for medicine and got the urge to pursue medicine which was tough to secure at that time so I went to work in the Ngo space before leaving for Dar es Salaam to pursue a Degree in Medicine.

MW: Let’s delve a bit into your footing on leadership, you’ve had quite a journey, could you take us through it?

Dr. Joy: My leadership journey started way back in high school as an entertainment prefect but gradually grew at work. My mentor Dr. Benedict Osore, nurtured this way back since my internship days and that’s how I got interest in leadership and governance.

Later on in my career, I got to hold various positions within the Kenya Medical Association climbing the ranks.

Globally, I previously served as the Vice President of the CMA for the East, Central, and Southern African regions where I had the opportunity to bring together National Medical Associations (NMAs) across the region, providing a platform to highlight their challenges and discuss potential solutions. 

In the country, I got to be the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Response Advisory Committee, and my greatest achievement in this role was spearheading a mental health program designed to provide support for our healthcare professionals during the pandemic.

A key component of this initiative was establishing a call centre, which became a crucial resource for healthcare workers, offering both emotional support and a space for them to share concerns during a time of crisis.

Additionally, we successfully secured funding from Equity Bank, which allowed us to procure essential PPEs and provide training to healthcare workers across the country.

In the county, I am the Chairperson of the Research Committee and I've had the privilege of overseeing numerous ground breaking research initiatives. One of the most memorable and novel ones was our collaboration with Kabarak University to digitize the maternal health booklets and distribute smartwatches to mothers to track maternal outcomes which has really improved maternal health monitoring.

MW: Now, onto your new role, how will this be a game changer for the county and country?

Dr. Joy: As I mentioned earlier, Commonwealth countries are particularly affected by tuberculosis (TB), and the TB burden is growing, especially with the rise of drug-resistant strains. It's crucial that we find ways to highlight the issues surrounding TB and raise awareness among the population.

When we bring this conversation home to Nakuru County, we see significant opportunities. As a high TB burden area, Nakuru is on the front lines in the fight against TB.

This year, we had the opportunity to send one of our coordinators through CMA to a global TB forum, which proved to be a pivotal moment for us.

This not only put Nakuru on the map but also gave us a platform to engage with global stakeholders, advocate for our needs, and articulate our commitment to ending TB.

We will continue to support our team and ensure that Nakuru County remains actively involved in global TB discussions. By forging strong partnerships and collaborating with international organizations, we can ensure that Nakuru remains at the forefront when it comes to health matters.

MW: What does the future hold for you daktari?

Dr. Joy: It is my aspiration to one day climb the ranks to the presidency, particularly because there is a notable lack of female representation in leadership roles. I am committed to championing the cause of bringing more women into these spaces, as there is so much to be done in the health sector to improve the lives of women.

For example, issues like maternal mortality, the disproportionate impact of diseases, and the effects of climate change all affect women more severely than men. These are critical areas that need stronger advocacy and leadership.

In the future, I see myself campaigning for the presidency, with the goal of being a strong advocate for African women in health and beyond.

I believe that having more women in leadership positions will help us address these issues more effectively and ensure that the voices of women are heard and acted upon.