Why would you like to be on the NCDA Board of Directors?

I am committed to contribute positively in the fight against NCDs both nationally and globally. NCDA provides a good forum for me to work with like-minded people who advocate for the rights of PLWNCDs and lobby the policy makers at various levels in governments to prioritize the integration of NCDs in primary health care and in the implementation of UHC.

Having served on the board of NCDA in the last two years I have a good grasp of the vison and goals of the Board and I am committed to contribute to the achievements of these goals.

As a board member I have a big chance to contribute to issues that will impact on the empowerment of PLWNCDs which I am passionate about and have been championing in my country for the last 20 years. I believe NCDA is one of the strongest Civil Society in the world that has consistently put the needs of PLWNCDs first, fighting for affordable and equitable healthcare delivery to all especially to those living in Low and Middle income countries. I have experienced the benefits of being a member of NCDA through what we have managed to achieve in Kenya with the support of the NCDA grants awarded to Kenya NCD Alliance.

What makes you a good candidate for the NCDA Board of Directors?

I believe I am a good candidate for the NCDA Board for a number of reasons; I am a strong advocate for PLWNCDs and a champion of NCDs in Kenya. As a past Chair of Kenya NCD Alliance I established a good rapport with the Policy makers in the country and is able to easily negotiate with them to prioritize NCDs in the various health policies and in Primary Healthcare. I have been nominated in various Government Technical working groups that have been tasked to come up with draft documents that have gone on to become policy documents in the ministry of health. During COVID pandemic, as Chair of Kenya Medical and Dentists Council we were able to influence the Ministry of Health to come up with national guidelines that prioritized the care of PLWNDS who had become stigmatized by the repeated announcements for them to keep away from hospitals which led to us losing a number of them who missed their regular medications and ended up with long term complications.

I am good in Networking with people and institutions that contribute to the welfare of PLWNCDS. I am of good moral standing in my profession, high integrity and respect those I work with in various disciplines.

Biography

Dr Njenga is a Physician/Endocrinologist and has been in practice for more than 20 years and holds a MMed from the University of Nairobi. She also has certificates in Social Medicine and Medical Anthropology from Harvard University and Certificate in Endocrinology and Diabetology from the University of New Castle Upon Tyne-UK. She has formerly worked at several Public Hospitals in Kenya, and been a lecturer in one of the Medical Schools in Kenya. Former Chair of Kenya NCD Alliance, Outgoing Chair of Kenya Medical Practioners and Dentists Council.

She is a member of the American Diabetes Association, Kenya Medical Association and Kenya Association of Physicians Member of Kenya Diabetes Study Group, Former Vice Chairman of the Kenya Medical Women Association, Founder Director of Diabetes Management & Information Centre and a former member of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Currently a Member of the Board of Directors of NCDA.