𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑊🍇🇰🇪

In 2006, I was a lecturer at the Kenya Medical Training College in Nakuru. I was lecturing in the department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, I taught Pharmacology and Parasitology (1st Years) and Pathology (2nd Years), I was also supervising 3rd Years, Internal Medicine rotation in PGH Nyayo Ward lectured by Dr Babu Bora(RIP), and mentoring interns in the wards. Dr Murwa Muteshi was my immediate mentor. My exams were probing critical thinking, and I didn't entertain reckless ward lessons. For example, I would set a True/False question: " Among the following, which one causes inflammation?" • Tight-fitting pants • Hot water • Indomethacin • None of the above They would all struggle to answer this kind of question. I demanded orderly history taking, properly documented physical examination and a sensible, structured clinical discussion during ward rotations. I was an avid reader of Dr Sir William Osler, and would recite one of his quotes to my students, "Medicine is learned by the bedside and not in the classroom. Let not your concepts of the manifestations of disease come from words heard in the lecture room or read from the book." The HOD warned me that I am stressing these students by not setting straightforward questions from the curriculum and demanding clean ward presentations. I would tell him that students of medicine must be critical thinkers otherwise they would mismanage patients including your grandmother back in the village. The HOD looked at me, called Afya House to talk to Dr Kimani who was the DMS. That is how I was transferred from Nakuru to become a founding teacher of Kenya Medical Training College, Webuye. That was 20 years ago!

Doctors who fight COs all the time are idle,I find this back and forth boring,you’re getting paid more money than them,you’re given more respect than them,they are not called daktari like you. Just teach them instead of making them your nemesis or competitors. Any CO that has worked with me will tell you that I’ve taught and even hired some of them and we always had respect for each other I never saw them in my head as my competitors. It is the system that gave birth to COs,if you want to get rid of them go attack the system and leave the COs alone. Teach them what they don’t know etc. Perhaps these COs are threatening doctors positions because you’ve failed to show leadership and have very low self esteem easily shaken by them. Doctors are reducing their As to fighting nonsensical wars and battles. So doleful!