Veteran health services regulator Daniel Yumbya was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Mount Kenya University during its 21st graduation ceremony for his exemplary service in the sector.
Yumbya who has headed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for close to 25 years was awarded a doctor of humane letters (honoris causa) for championing quality healthcare and patient safety.
He was among 6,570 students who graduated with certificates, diplomas, masters and doctorates.
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“The net effect of his immense selfless contribution to the health sector is enhanced access to safer and better health care services,” read a citation by Vice-Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi.
Yumbya who joined the then Medical Board in 1999, said he was humbled by the honour and recognition MKU had accorded him for his role in the medical field which he hoped would inspire young and upcoming medical practitioners.
PHOTO/Oliver Musembi
Narrating how he grew from a humble background in Ukambani from where he started his basic learning and later got admission to the university, to finally head the Medical Council, Yumbya told upcoming learners that resilience, hard work, and selflessness pay.
“This appreciation gives me a fresh impetus and the drive to continue executing my duties of ensuring that Kenyans get better healthcare services. I am appealing to others in the medical field to work diligently and help improve the country's health services,” said the official.
He also hailed the institution for its state-of-the-art medical training facilities which enabled it to recently win an award as the leading university in the medical field in the East African region.
The University Pro-Chancellor Dr. Vincent Gaitho said the institution has so far graduated more than 100,000 students since its inception 13 years ago.
"Top among MKU's major milestones is the establishment of the School of Medicine which has so far produced 80 doctors and the General Kago Funeral Home at Thika level 5 hospital, a public-private partnership project," Dr. Gaitho said.
Karen Njoki Wang'ang'a, a businesswoman and mother of two university students, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in commerce said she was proud of the achievement and encouraged youngsters to emulate her.
