Mellany Murgor, Kenya
I always wanted to be a doctor since I was 9 years old. My desire was to bring change, help people and alleviate human suffering. It is only in medical school that I first encountered the real healthcare challenges and the burden of disease. Training in a national referral Hospital meant most of our patients came in for specialized care, most of whom presented with complications and late stage of diseases. More often than not, patients presented with diabetes complications, hypertensive complications and even at late stages of cancer. Their pain and suffering, broke my heart and motivated me to do more and bring change. Knowing that the risk factors of some NCDs start early during childhood, teenage and early adulthood. I have rallied together several other youth and medical students to be involved in sharing correct information about health. We have been involved in health talks, health education, health advocacy and screening camps in various forums within the country. Even more than that, several people are already affected and living with NCDs. They need urgent care and access to essential medicines for their treatment. Through young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YP-CDN) we have been involved in advocating for access to essential medicines needed to treat various NCDs. My hope is to see youths live a healthy life and those affected with NCDs access timely and essential treatment.