Meet Nelly Dindi, a trailblazer in the field of Paediatric Public Health. Nelly's journey began in 2012 when she completed her Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBCh.B) from Kampala International University in Uganda. After completing her internship in Kenya in 2013/2014, Nelly was posted to work in the Newborn Unit at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. It was here that Nelly developed a passion for Paediatrics and a desire to combine her interests in Paediatrics and Public Health to make a greater impact in the society, which led her to pursue a Master's degree in Tropical Paediatrics from the world-renowned LSTM.
However, Nelly faced financial challenges that made it difficult for her to pursue her dream. That was until she was informed of the Thomas Mark scholarship and applied for it, successfully securing it to fund her MSc Tropical Peadiatrics at LSTM. Nelly's time at LSTM was marked by the wealth of knowledge, research skills, networking and experience she gained from her peers and lecturers, which has since helped to boost her confidence and build her career.
Today, Nelly is a highly self-motivated Paediatric Public Health Specialist with over 6 years of work experience in New-born Health and 4 years of work experience Public Health. She’s published a paper in a regional renown journal and presented it in national and international Health conferences. She currently works as a Sub-County Medical Officer of Health and leads the Sub-County Health Management Team in Makadara sub-county in Nairobi, Kenya. She was part of the Rapid Response Team at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nairobi. Nelly is currently awaiting confirmation of a recent appointment to head the Kenya Paediatrics and Adolescent HIV/ AIDS management program, a testament to her expertise and dedication in her field.
Nelly's journey is an inspiring example of how perseverance, hard work, and a passion for making a difference can lead to a fulfilling and successful career. If you're considering pursuing your dreams at LSTM, Nelly's advice is to set goals, make the most of the available resources, and build a strong network of friends and peers.