Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Dr Ida Odinga, at RFH Healthcare for John Charles medical training college 4th graduation ceremony.
Healthcare workers must combine medical skills with compassion and integrity if they are to succeed in their careers, Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Nairobi and the United Nations Environment Programme, Dr Ida Odinga, has said.
Odinga spoke during the fourth graduation ceremony of John Charles Medical Training College in Nairobi, where about 80 healthcare professionals graduated and prepared to join Kenya's health workforce.
Drawing from her family's experience in medicine, Odinga reflected on the example set by her mother, whom she described as one of the pioneering women in Kenya's healthcare profession at a time when few women worked in the field.
She recalled how her mother balanced demanding medical duties with family responsibilities, often responding to emergencies in the middle of the night without complaint.
"That was the standard she set — not just for our family, but for what this profession demands," Dr Odinga reflected.
Odinga said both her parents were healthcare professionals and credited them with instilling in her the values of resilience, hard work and dedication to serving humanity.
Addressing the graduates, she cautioned them that medicine is not a typical office job and requires commitment at all hours and under difficult circumstances.
She urged them to treat patients with dignity and compassion, reminding them that behind every diagnosis is a person with fears, loved ones and a unique life story.
Odinga also encouraged the graduates to actively seek mentors and role models as they build their careers.
"The world is waiting for you," she told them. "Go and meet it with purpose."
Her remarks formed the centrepiece of the ceremony, which celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of healthcare workers from the institution based at Ruai Family Hospital's specialist branch in Nairobi.
Also speaking at the event was RFH Healthcare Group Managing Director and John Charles Medical Training College founder Dr Maxwell Okoth, who praised the graduates and reaffirmed the institution's commitment to training competent and ethical healthcare practitioners.
Okoth said the college has continued to strengthen its academic programmes, modernise training facilities and create opportunities that respond to the changing needs of the healthcare sector in Kenya and beyond.
He reminded graduates that they would carry the institution's reputation into every workplace they join.
"You are our ambassadors," he told them. "How you conduct yourselves in the field will speak louder than any certificate."
He further encouraged them to embrace continuous learning and stay informed about emerging medical technologies and practices.
The graduation marked the college's fourth graduation ceremony and highlighted the growing need for trained healthcare workers in the country.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasised that technical knowledge alone is not enough for healthcare professionals. They said success in the sector also depends on character, compassion and a commitment to lifelong learning.
John Charles Medical Training College principal Nancy Birundu said the institution has grown significantly since its establishment.
“It started like a small dream, but that dream has been transformed into a fully comprehensive medical college that trains students in different health-related courses. We have about 20 programs that offer both diplomas and certificates as well as short courses in sign languages, German language, among others, emphasised Nancy Birundu, principal of John Charles Medical Training College.
Birundu said the next student intake is expected between July and September, with plans to increase enrolment and introduce additional specialised courses to meet growing demand in the healthcare sector.
For graduates, the ceremony represented both an achievement and the beginning of a new chapter.
Felisters Wangechi, one of the graduands, expressed joy at completing her training and preparing to serve patients.
“This graduation means so much to me as I continue serving humanity with compassion and dedication. It’s a dream come true, and we thank the management of John Charles Medical Training College for equipping us with the necessary medical skills for us to undertake our work more diligently as we service our patients moving forward,” noted Wangechi.
As they left the ceremony, graduates were challenged to uphold the values of service, professionalism and compassion championed by Odinga and other speakers, as they begin careers in a healthcare system that increasingly depends on skilled and dedicated professionals.
