Dr. Diana Marion

2022-2024 KMA Secretary General

What is your YDN story ?

The year was 2010, and there was a young Medical Officer looking to be part of the doctor fraternity - there was no YDN only generally KMA, KMA SACCO and KMA Housing. I remember walking into the KMA building in Upper Hill with dreams that all young doctors have, namely: Establishing connections for growth as a person and as a professional, networking, mentorship and finally investment opportunities with some financial literacy privileges. That young doctor was me, daring to dream and reach out to a doctor family that could take me up and nurture me. Because of that desire I courageously paid up to be a member of KMA, KMA SACCO and KMA Housing without thinking twice, and that began my journey for growth and success within the confines of an organized doctors’ group.

I was immediately taken under the wings of KMA Nairobi division where I was nurtured to understand the structure, role and processes within KMA. I had many questions, as many other young doctors ,here have which always leads to the question "Why KMA?" or "What does KMA do for individual doctors or the fraternity as a whole?"

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

As doctors, we all have various unmet needs, both professionally and individually. Sometimes you want to be in a group of your peers (age-wise) with similar challenges. KMA set out its mission the medical student groups. Taking up leadership roles in KMA committees, the KMA divisions, NEC and even beyond borders in WMA and other International global health groups.

"to champion for the welfare of doctors and mission "to be the voice for provision of the highest standards of healthcare in Kenya and beyond". This responsibility has always given us a chance to be brave, take a stand and make decisions that may be good for us, but sometimes hard to swallow. KMA had the capacity for growth through bettering member welfare outcomes by the leadership truly engaging the stakeholders and approaching members across generations with humility and openness. I once attended KMA annual scientific conferences in those early years and you could not spot young doctors, majority were older doctors, and the sense of belonging was missing. I actually stopped attending the ASC until again in Nanyuki in 2017, and the gap still existed. This gap motivated some individuals that were then much younger to establish YDN and the leadership embraced the idea.

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

I expected that the young doctor group would then find a caucus for themselves within KMA which would trigger inclusivity and bring in new ideas to grow KMA to even greater achievements. Yes I did envision the growth because younger doctors are thirsty to belong and change their environment to better themselves.

The gaps filled includes the availability of YDN as a peer group to mentor and coach upcoming young doctors, and the opening up of opportunities for peers, especially by those who have had the opportunity to move upwards and grow.

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?

I see YDN getting better in the health network, both locally and internationally. YDN should focus on the current existing health system challenges that are inhibiting the growth and establishment of opportunities for doctors especially the young ones. They should establish within themselves committees that bring different expertise together to provide solutions.

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

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?

Mobilising and organising, especially for

As KMA member and young doctor in my recent past I realized that no individual leader was capable of answering my many unmet needs fully, unless I personally made an effort to weigh in on the solutions. “Be on the table not on the menu”. This drove me to engage actively in KMA business, and I created time to be involved in activities that brought solutions to member issues at division level.

This eventually led to me being elected as KMA Nanyuki division chairperson where I worked tirelessly, engaging stakeholders even during the very difficult period where doctors were irregularly dismissed by the County Government of Laikipia. The Doctors in Nanyuki gave me a push to join leadership at the National platform as KMA Assistant Secretary General in 2020, having seen my capabilities, courage and the tenacity with which I pushed for the agenda of my colleagues at both personal and professional level. I believe that I have a strong will and the right attitude for continued, sustainable change and growth. “If there is a problem, we are going to fix it together”. Leadership is a ‘state of mind that is cultivated with experience and a clear vision.

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

YDN mobilises and organises the young medical student and opens opportunities for them to participate in. There are mentorship programs available on the same.

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

KMA has associate members, who are not yet qualified doctors but are headed there. The medical students can be enjoined in various KMA activities that grow their unique skills and talents. My point of encouragement to the medical students is to join peers that can grow and mentor them through the formative years as they are nurtured into the profession. This group of peers is found in YDN.

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?

Financial constraints to navigate their own activities, unemployment and failure to be posted as interns in a timely manner. Some of these challenges have predisposed some of the YDN to mental health challenges.

They have presented their challenges to leadership within the doctor fraternity And also without through i.e social media platforms and mainstream media. This presentation has triggered and initiated various interventions to try resolve the challenges. KMA has also run a mental support call centre that is linked to various treatment facilities for those that suffer mental health challenges.