Dr Ezekiel Mecha: What my appointment to World Endometriosis board means

Dr. Ezekiel Mecha who is an endometriosis research expert and a Senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi has unpacked what his appointment to the World d Endometriosis Society (WES) Board means for Kenya.

Dr Mecha who holds a PhD in Reproductive Endocrinology from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany was in May 2023 appointed to join the board of the World Endometriosis Society (Board ) where he will serve on the Global Liaison Committee for a period of two years (2023-2025).

Dr. Mecha is the only representative from the African Continent on this board and the first African to serve on the Board of the World Endometriosis Society.

Speaking to the Star, Dr Mecha said the appointment means he will be involved in linking and creating links/partnerships with all other global organizations involved in endometriosis management globally.

"I will be involved in the organization of all WES webinars, workshops conferences and mentorship programs whereby I will be mentoring young gynaecologists and researchers in the field of endometriosis who will be allocated to me by WES," Mecha said.

"This position will place me in a position to access funds from WES and the World Endometriosis Foundation to increase endometriosis awareness and research in the country."

He added that the position comes with increased networking with all the top minds in the world in endometriosis research and management and thus it will lead to the initiation of an MOU between the organizations of the WES leadership with the University of Nairobi.

Dr Mecha further notes that there will be increased funding to endometriosis organizations/researchers in Kenya as a result of the appointment.

"I am going to have increased slots to send young Kenyans to Europe, the UK, the USA and Asia on full scholarships to conduct endometriosis research. Secondly, this position will open avenues for sending young Kenyan gynaecologists to Europe, the UK and the USA to learn specialized training in the field of endometriosis diagnosis like the use of Ultrasound and artificial intelligence (AI)," he added.

"As a board member of WES for the next two years, I am lobbying for Kenya to host the 17th World Congress on Endometriosis (17th WCE) which will take place in May 2027. This will be the first congress to be held in the African continent. I have already shared this information about the 17th World Congress on endometriosis with the Kenyan ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs."

Dr. Mecha is also a member of the World Endometriosis Society mentoring programme whereby he serves as a global mentor to several scientists and Clinicians who are working in the area of endometriosis.

Dr Mecha has been on the frontline in endometriosis management in the country, region and globally.

He has led to increased endometriosis management in the country and the continent through the involvement of all stakeholders including but not limited to researchers, clinicians, endometriosis warriors, political class, councillors and media fraternity.

Before his appointment to join the board, Dr. Mecha was the   World Endometriosis Society Ambassador and the only one from the African continent from 2021 to 2023.

Dr. Mecha is currently spearheading a multi-sectoral and multi-professional approach in the management of endometriosis and adenomyosis through the involvement of all stakeholders in endometriosis management with an ultimate goal of establishing endometriosis government policy document in Kenya.

Dr. Mecha has organized two Germany Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) sponsored international conferences on endometriosis involving all stakeholders with local and international speakers who are experts in endometriosis management.

He is the chairman of Kenya DAAD Scholars Association (KDSA), University of Nairobi, Chapter and a board member of Kenya DAAD Scholars Association National Executive Council.