A Trailblazer in Health Leadership

On Thursday, 28th November 2024, Strathmore University Business School and the Kenya Medical Association hosted an event to celebrate Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu on her recent election as President of the World Medical Association (WMA). This prestigious achievement underscores her unwavering commitment to global health advocacy and her dedication to championing the rights and welfare of medical practitioners and patients worldwide.

In attendance were, family, friends as well as colleagues from various facets of Dr. Kitulu’s career. Her husband applauded her for her strength and continued passion over the years to improve the health sector. Her parents noted that Dr. Kitulu was always driven and passionate about anything she chose to do. Her friends and colleagues further resonated with the family’s sentiments, she refused to lose and was constantly pushing for change in the health sector. One of her colleagues reminded her of a time when they worked together in the late President Kibaki’s government, and she was constantly referred to as “Madame Social Issues” for continuously bringing attention to health and social concerns. From all the speakers, on thing was clear, Dr. Kitulu is a true reflection of bold leadership in Action

Dr. Kitulu is a distinguished healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience, making significant contributions to healthcare in Kenya, across Africa, and globally. A former Vice-President, National Vice-Chair, and the first female President of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), she has been a transformative force in advancing professionalism and quality in healthcare delivery. During her leadership at KMA, she not only championed the welfare of doctors but also played a crucial role in policy formulation, ensuring the implementation of robust health strategies.

Dr. Kitulu has also shaped the public health sector through government appointments, including as a Presidential Appointee to the National Economic and Social Council and Finance Committee Chair of the National Health Insurance Fund. She has held leadership positions as Treasurer of the Kenya Medical Women’s Association, Director of the Kenya Healthcare Federation, Vice-Chair of the National Resuscitation Council of Kenya, and Council Member of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. In these roles, she was instrumental in the inspection of medical training institutions in Kenya and East Africa.

On the global stage, Dr. Kitulu has served as a Communication and Advocacy Panel Member at WMA and as a Global Advisory Board member at Tech Care for All, advocating for medical ethics and the professional autonomy of physicians worldwide. She is also an active medical practitioner, working at Jamko Health Services and as a Partner in Family Practice at Karen Surgery in Nairobi.

Dr. Kitulu’s leadership is further reflected in her current positions as a board member of Hospital Holdings Investment, a private healthcare provider operating hospitals and clinics across East Africa, and as a Director of PATH Kenya and E-Plus Kenya.

Her qualifications include an MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore University and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Nairobi. She is also an alumna of the Effective Director Programme and the Leading High Performing Healthcare Organizations Programme from Strathmore Business School.

We are proud to celebrate her remarkable achievements and wish her continued success as she shapes the future of healthcare both in Kenya and globally.