- Kalebi is currently on sabbatical, having retired from Lancet Group in April this year after a 12-year tenure.
- Born in Kibera slum 45 years ago, Kalebi completed his medicine degree at the University of Nairobi in 2001 and a Master's in General Human Pathology in 2005.
Image: FILE
Kenyan pathologist Dr Ahmed Yakub Kalebi is among the world’s 75 most important and influential people in the field of laboratory medicine.
Dr Kalebi is the only one based in Africa on the 2021 Power List, released by The Pathologist magazine.
This is the third time he appears on the global Power List, after 2020 and 2019.
This time, Dr Kalebi was recognised for his relentless efforts to create public awareness of Covid-19 pandemic and his dedication at Lancet Kenya.
Lancet became the first private laboratory in East Africa to set up and receive ISO15189 accreditation for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing.
Dr Kalebi is the founder and immediate former CEO of the Lancet Group of Laboratories.
He appears in the “Showstoppers” category.
“Ahmed also informed the National Parliament to ensure laboratory professionals receive recognition for their critical role in the pandemic,” the US and UK Pathologist magazine noted.
Every year, the magazine publishes a list of influential figures, thought leaders, and opinion shapers in pathology and laboratory medicine.
This year the list features 75 persons in pathology, while in 2020 eighty persons were featured, and 100 in 2019.
The publishers noted pathologists have continued to play a great role to contain Covid-19 around the world.
“Pathology and laboratory medicine have learned many lessons in terms of developing faster tests, increasing accuracy, working with staff and reagent shortages and adapting labs to operate within the bounds of social distancing,” the publishers said.
They work faster than ever before to diagnose disease and research new treatments and preventions.
On Friday, Dr Kalebi said he was humbled that the recognition coincided with his recent retirement from his 12-year tenure at Lancet.
“Being a pathologist, achieving what I’ve been able to from my work as a lab professional and pioneering entrepreneur has been my life’s honour that is more special from the recognition by my peers,” he said.
Kalebi is currently on sabbatical, having retired from Lancet Group in April this year.
"The important world of pathology and medical lab industry underpinning evidence-based medicine is undergoing remarkably changes."
"I hope to be part of that transformation for a better future upon my resumption in a few years after my sabbatical break of family time & some self-care,” he added.
He said during his retirement, he will take time to pursue a PhD as well as pursue other unnamed ventures.
Kalebi was born in Kibera slum 45 years ago. He completed his medicine degree at the University of Nairobi in 2001 and a Master's in General Human Pathology in 2005.
He also holds qualifications from University of Witwatersrand (SA) and John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford University).
He founded Pathologists Lancet Kenya (PLK) in May 2009, as a branch of South Africa’s Lancet Services Company (LSC) and served as CEO since then.
The firm has a network of more than 100 laboratories in 11 countries including Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
France-based multinational Cerba Healthcare bought shares in PLK’s parent company, South Africa’s Lancet Laboratories (LSC), in 2019, thus taking control of PLK.
Dr Kalebi still owns 7.67 per cent of PLK and 10 per cent of LSC.
Close friends say the medic’s early retirement is well deserved as he has been a workaholic who regularly clocked 18 hours daily in office.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)