Jemimah Kariuki

Jemimah Kariuki is a Kenyan doctor specializing in preventive medicine, maternal and child health. During the COVID19 pandemic she organised an ambulance service which enabled pregnant people to access maternity care. She was listed as one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2020.

Career

Kariuki is a resident doctor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Kenyatta National Hospital at the University of Nairobi.[1] She is the founder of the Peace Club, started in response to post-election violence in 2007, and the Public Health Club, which is dedicated to the prevention and awareness of cervical cancer.[2]

During the COVID19 pandemic in Kenya, as a maternity doctor, she noticed a sharp decline in maternal patients, but an increase in complications, especially during the hours of curfew.[3][4] Kenya is one of the countries with the highest rates of mortality for both mothers and children, which the curfew caused to increase, according to experts.[5] Kariuki realized that access to health care was delayed due to limited transportation options.[6] Initially she used the social media platform Twitter to ask for support from government organisations and private companies to transport expectant parents to the hospital.[6] This idea led to Wheels for Life, a free ambulance service.[7]

Awards

On 23 November 2020, Kariuki was on the BBC's list of the 100 most influential women of the year.[7]

References
  1. Mwobobia, Judith Mukiri. "The repercussions of Covid-19 fight - Standard Health". Health. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  2. "Two Kenyan women featured on BBC's most influential list". People Daily. 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  3. Mersie, Ayenat (2020-07-09). "Free ambulance helps save mothers and babies in Kenya lockdown". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  4. "'I couldn't let women die in childbirth'". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  5. "Pregnant women at risk of death in Kenya's COVID-19 curfew". AccessWDUN. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  6. "Pregnant women at risk of death in Kenya's COVID-19 curfew". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  7. "BBC 100 Women 2020: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
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