Dr David Karuri Maina is not your ordinary surgeon. Born and raised in Nairobi, his childhood dream was to be a pilot, but as fate would have it, the journey took a compelling turn as he sought to address the healthcare needs of people in remote places – he branched out from civil aviation and embarked on a journey that led him to the field of medicine, particularly surgery.
An ‘A’ student, his academic development started at the University of Nairobi (undergraduate training) and the Aga Khan University, Nairobi where he pursued postgraduate studies.
From Thika to Muriranjas in Murang’a and progressively into West Pokot, Somaliland, and Somalia, Maina’s story affirms that it calls for dedication to serve in the medical space. In a candid interview with the Nairobi Business Monthly, he explains why he maintained a strong connection to sports while practicing as a surgeon.
What inspired you to become a doctor and how did you get to work in West Pokot?
My childhood dream of becoming a pilot changed when my father likened it to “driving a bus in the air.” I became increasingly inquisitive about medicine, particularly surgery, which led me to operate on lizards as a young boy, igniting the seed of surgery within me. Throughout my education, I remained focused on this path, supported by mentors, including the late Prof. Saidi Hassan. His emphasis on service to the unserved and making a difference with limited resources influenced my decision to return to public service after graduating from Aga Khan University.
In 2016, I took up the challenge to work in West Pokot County, where there hadn’t been a general surgeon for three years. I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference and serve those in hardship regions. Over the next seven years, I worked in various capacities at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of improved medical services.
Congratulations on your various achievements and accolades. How do you manage to balance your medical career, business ventures, and sports?
My guiding mantra is “God, Family, Passion.” God’s guidance and support from my family have been instrumental in maintaining balance. I commit myself fully to each endeavour with passion and strive to fulfil my purpose. Being kind and helpful to others within my ability is essential, and I believe in doing “a lot with little.”
How has your training at Aga Khan University been beneficial to your career, and what distinguishes it from other institutions?
Aga Khan University’s postgraduate programs are highly esteemed for preparing skilled and conscientious professionals fit for global needs. The program’s focus on critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving taught me how to handle difficult situations. Graduates from AKU can work anywhere due to the institution’s emphasis on adaptability and openness to innovation.
You dazed the world thanks to the first successful brain surgery performed at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital. What’s your take on the impact of such interventions?
My impact is evident in the progress of Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, which now serves as an internship centre with various specialized departments. The hospital’s revenue increased from Sh5 million to Sh21 million through the Facility Improvement Fund Act of 2019. I initiated projects such as a critical care unit, a dialysis support unit, and collaborations with organizations to provide free obstetric surgery and orthopaedic care for children.
At Muriranjas Sub-County Hospital, the patient load has increased, and healthcare access has improved. Alcoholism, once prevalent in the area, has decreased, resulting in better family engagement and even children being born in families.
Healthcare systems are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI). Do you see this trend growing in Kenya, and how does it affect surgical practice?
AI’s role in healthcare is gaining momentum, particularly in radiography. However, human intervention is essential for higher-order thinking and accurate diagnosis. AI can be valuable in training modules and augmenting healthcare professionals’ skills. Although surgery might be one of the last fields to fully embrace AI, advancements in robotic surgery and virtual consultations show promising potential.
COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital health services, including virtual consultations. Do you think this will replace physical consultations in the long term?
Absolutely! Telehealth solutions are here to stay. Stratus Medical Imaging Solutions, which I am involved with, is developing a telemedicine application that allows virtual consultations, testing, and even dermatological care. These digital health systems form complete ecosystems, ensuring convenient access to healthcare while maintaining privacy and security.
You’ve been instrumental in the growth of the WRC Safari Rally in Kenya. How has this experience been, and what are your future plans in sports?
Working with the WRC Safari Rally has been a fulfilling journey. I have been involved in building a medical response plan and team to ensure safety during the event. We have been recognized by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) for our preparedness and response capabilities. My passion for sports extends to superbike racing, where I’ve won championships six times. I am now nurturing the next generation through my racing team, BladeDoc Racing, and envision Kenya’s representation across different championships.
This year I was rooting for Kalle Rovanperä as I have always been a Toyota fan. I also like Takamoto Katsuta who is very aggressive in the sport. When it comes to superbikes, I always root for Mark Marquez who races using a Repsol Honda bike. I am a Honda fan at this, and both of my superbikes are Hondas as well. I have been transferring my skills in racing to the youth as well. I am passionate about this and used to teach biking from scratch and even had a riding school.
So far, I have trained several kids in the mini-motor series and two boys are now competing with the big boys and winning. I won the Superbike championship six times but have now pulled back to allow others to grow. I have a racing team, BladeDoc Racing team, which will soon represent Kenya across different championships.
How does Kenya compare with other medical systems in the region?
Kenya has a very advanced medical system compared to other countries in East and Central Africa. According to the World Health Organization, medical systems should have one doctor per 6000 patients. We have one doctor per 17000 patients in Kenya, but this is still advanced compared to places like Somalia where there is only one doctor per town. At the Aga Khan University, there is medical tourism with people from other countries like Rwanda coming for treatment, evidence of our advancement in this profession.
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
I have been developing the Stratus Medical Imaging Solutions application for telemedicine and we are currently developing it to be the centre of medicine in sports. The ‘boda boda’ sector offers an opportunity for this which also informed a campaign we launched with the BladeDoc Foundation, called ‘Rising Stars’, which seeks to challenge norms on road programmes and safety.
I am also particularly interested in health systems where I am currently building health systems in Somalia. We are partnering with Prothea Kenya, who do 3D printing of prosthetic limbs thus catering for the region which has a lot of amputees resulting from injuries during wars. South Sudan also offers a similar opportunity.
I might also venture into policy-making which is part of what the Blade Doc Network advocates for. The Late Minister of Roads John Michuki was able to reduce accidents, the resulting trauma and surgery using one policy and I would like to do the same. A surgeon is limited to the number of patients they can see in a day and a policy maker has endless opportunities to network and make more changes. I would also like to build circuits for racing on tarmac in Kenya. I am focused on building Africa.
Given a chance, what would you change or improve within the medical practice in Kenya?
My heart is in the public service. Counties are trying to get available resources but more needs to be done to retain a specialized workforce. There needs to be good leadership in place, on merit, to ensure that the right people are doing the right job. There also needs to be honesty instilled within our systems.
Kenya also needs to provide and retain the right workforce with the right skills, environment, and remuneration. In management, there is the Herzberg two-factory which identifies money as a hygiene factor which in its absence creates a problem. Money is not a motivating factor. To motivate the workforce, their hygiene factors, which are necessities for proper functioning, need to be sorted and placed in a good work environment.
We should also ensure that health financing is in place. We have the Abuja Declaration which ensures that 15% of the budget is allocated to healthcare, but this rarely happens.
