Dr. Amos Otara

What were your expectations of YDN when starting out? Did you envision that the organisation would grow as much as it has?

2022/24 KMA Vice President

What is your YDN story ?

I have engaged with the YDN since its launch in Naivasha. I have participated in all the annual YDN conferences ever since. I have learnt a lot out of this interaction, in many areas from physician wellness, financial stability, career progression, research, leadership etc. I have mentored several YDN members in leadership, clinical practice, career advising and references.

What was the motive behind the formation of YDN? Why was it necessary to have such an organization?

YDN is useful since the dynamics in health practice and influencing policy have changed over time and more rapidly lately. So, the importance of having diversity of views and opinion in the all age categories. The YDN will shape the oneness of health into the future. YDN will reawaken the giant that is KMA through their vibrancy and innovativeness.

Definitely expected a bigger enrollment by the younger generation of doctors into KMA, but this has not happened as was envisioned. KMA is still subscribed by the loyal old base, with fewer younger doctors joining in and dropping out, particularly in the non-city divisions.

What are the achievements YDN has accomplished in the last 5 years that you are most proud of? What are the gaps that YDN has filled in the lives of young doctors in Kenya?

Global presence through the WMA Junior Doctors Network. We have been able to identify individual leadership capacities among YDN members, we have mentored them further and a number are now super mentors, and this will snowball. There have been great presentation in various fora, and on varied topics from YDN arranged activities. Young doctors now have an identity, have a voice and have platform.

In your opinion, where do you see YDN in the next five years? What objectives do you think YDN should focus on achieving during this time period?

Keeping their focus and growing networks, YDN has a big space on most tables: professional and extra-professional, government and non-government, national and international.

How does one transition from leadership in YDN to KMA NEC? What has your personal journey been like?

There are no bumps in this transition We have had a seamless induction of YDN members into various NGC committees, then transiting into NGC convenors ,and into NEC. It is all on individual capacity and willingness to serve and grow.

What is YDN doing to mentor young medical students and doctors?

A good interaction exists between YDN and individual medical student associations, and MSAKE. Most YDN members get recruited from MSAKE. However, the retention into mother KMA is still low.

What are some of the opportunities for medical students in YDN? How can they plug in while still in medical school?

KMA presents: Internships opportunities (non- clinical), research assistant opportunities, rapporteur opportunities, entertainment and social avenues and research exposure via contributing to journals.

What are some of the biggest challenges that have faced YDN in the past five years? What are some ways YDN has navigated these challenges?

No dedicated financing: we rely on wellwishers and sponsorships.

Time constraints-most YDN members may not have all the time to commit to KMA affairs.