Highlight your Career Progression. In addition to your Degree in Pharmacy, are there any certifications you have obtained, or are you currently pursuing any that you would like to mention?
My name is Dr. Gathai Mundia, I am a Pharmacist Intern at Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH), currently rotating at the Accident and Emergency Pharmacy. I also do ward visits with a clinical pharmacist twice weekly in the Internal Medicine Wards.
I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) Degree in 2022 and started working at my mentor’s Community Pharmacy, where I volunteered for a year during my campus days. During this time, I developed a passion for Antimicrobial Stewardship and joined an organisation where I got to learn more about Antimicrobial Resistance. This experience has been the most significant part of my Pharmacy career progression, making me an AMR Champion. I always strive to prevent its occurrence in my practice and constantly teach my patients how to take antimicrobials.
I have a certificate for a course in Antimicrobial Resistance from a program that was designed jointly by ReAct Africa and Students Against Superbugs Africa , where I had served as the Brand Director before being promoted to the Head of Programs.
What are you most passionate about in your Pharmacy practice?
Although Pharmacy was never my choice, knowing more about my role as a pharmacist made me fall in love with the profession. I am passionate about positively impacting my patients’ lives and seeing them recover from their illnesses.
I also advocate for the role of a pharmacist in healthcare by ensuring other healthcare workers realise my input in all matters of medications.
What do you love about being a Pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, I love my patients, and I ensure that every patient who passes through me gets the highest quality of care by providing them with every detail they need about their illness and medications.
I feel satisfied when some come back to just say they got well while others declare their satisfaction in my medication counselling process.
What has been your most challenging moment in the profession, and what were your lessons from it?
My most challenging moments in pharmacy practice are when other cadres think that my work as a pharmacist is just to dispense drugs. However, I always make them understand practically by working closely with them and letting them discover other aspects of the pharmacy practice. Another challenge is the long queue, so patients must wait long for me to serve them adequately.
From these challenges, I have learned the need to continuously seek knowledge to ensure other cadres can put their hope in me whenever they require a pharmacist’s advice or intervention.
What keeps you going?
What keeps me going is the sense that someone needs my service to end their suffering and restore good health. Just knowing that my work will directly contribute to the improvement of the health and well-being of my patients is incredibly motivating.
In addition to being a Pharmacist, what else do you enjoy doing?
Apart from being a Pharmacist, I enjoy engaging in leadership, which I started in my campus life. Currently, I am serving as the Secretary General of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya – Young Pharmacists Group. Back on campus, I served as a leader in my Pharmacy School and the Pharmacy Students Association of Kenya (KEPhSA), where I was the Secretary-General.
As a leader, I love advocating the role of pharmacists in healthcare to ensure people are well-informed about our capabilities.
I also enjoy doing graphic design, and I have offered my services in all my leadership positions. Regardless of the field, I also use branding as a side hustle.
I must mention my love for music, which helps me relax after several working hours. Music is a big part of my life.
What can you say to the young Pharmacist?
To the Young Pharmacists out there, get acquainted with the roles of a pharmacist and always ensure you represent our profession well. Pharmacy education continues after graduation as new things emerge daily, making it necessary to engage in continuous medical education.
Also, ensure you interact and network with pharmacists already in the field so you can learn the diverse areas of practice in the pharmacy field. This initiative will help you get mentors for career guidance in the path that you intend to take. Your Network is Your Networth!