UON PHARMACY ALUMNI BRING FREE MEDICAL CARE TO KIBRA IN 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

“Dr. Wairimu Mbogo, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (centre), with partners and health professionals during the University of Nairobi School of Pharmacy Alumni Association’s free medical camp at Olympic Primary School, Kibra, held as part of the School’s 50th anniversary celebrations.”

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

Hundreds of residents of Kibra received free healthcare on Friday as the University of Nairobi (UoN) School of Pharmacy Alumni Association held a major medical camp at Olympic Primary School to mark the School’s 50th anniversary.

The day-long outreach offered a wide range of services including health education, screening for diabetes, hypertension, breast and cervical cancer, as well as vaccinations for children. Patients also received free medicines, with health workers from multiple disciplines volunteering their expertise.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Wairimu Mbogo, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) and a UoN alumna, said the camp was a true demonstration of the profession’s role in communities.

“This medical camp is not just a celebration; it is an embodiment of what pharmacy truly stands for. When pharmacists step into the community, when they roll up their sleeves to screen, treat, counsel, and refer patients, they bring healthcare closer to the people,” she told the gathering.

Dr. Mbogo emphasized that pharmacists are often the first point of contact for Kenyans seeking healthcare, and urged the public to demand services from licensed professionals.

“If you see a green cross, it means a pharmacist—a university degree-trained expert—is present. If you see a blue cross, it means a pharmaceutical technologist is serving you under the required regulatory structures. This colour-coded system is for your safety and protection,” she said, adding that PSK would continue fighting the infiltration of quacks and unlicensed premises.

The camp was chaired by Prof. Margaret Oluka and supported by several partners including the Nairobi City County medical department, UoN School of Dentistry Hospital, UoN Eye Hospital, Diabetes Management Institute (DMI), Vitali Health Services, Equity Afya, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya.

According to organizers, the aim was not only to provide free treatment but also to raise awareness about preventive health practices. “We are proud to give back to the community while showcasing the role pharmacy plays in public health,” said Dr. Moses N. Mwangi, HSC, Chair of the Planning and Logistics Committee for UoN Pharmacy @50.

The UoN School of Pharmacy was established in 1974 through a Presidential Decree to reduce Kenya’s reliance on foreign-trained pharmacists. Since then, the School has grown into the country’s premier center for pharmaceutical education and research.

Between 1974 and 1997, the School admitted between 20–40 government-sponsored students annually. The introduction of the privately-sponsored program in 1998 doubled those numbers, with the 2011/2012 intake standing at 106 students. By December 2024, the School had produced 2,190 pharmacists at undergraduate level and 150 postgraduate specialists (Masters and PhDs).

Current postgraduate programs span pharmaceutical analysis, industrial pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacovigilance, molecular pharmacology, pharmacognosy and traditional medicine, pharmacology and therapeutics, with more in development.

At the Golden Jubilee symposium held in May 2025, alumni shared stories of how UoN-trained pharmacists have shaped healthcare both locally and globally. Many are now leading schools of pharmacy across Kenya, while others hold positions in international organizations including WHO, UNICEF, and UNESCO.

Others have ventured into non-traditional roles ranging from county government leadership and policy advocacy to pharmaceutical manufacturing, IT-driven health research, radio pharmacy, patient safety, global health, and even climate change and health.

“The School of Pharmacy has been a pioneer not just in training, but in shaping Kenya’s healthcare system. Our alumni are living proof of the institution’s vision—serving in hospitals, industries, universities, and even global bodies,” said Prof. A.N. Guantai, Chairman of the UoN Faculty of Pharmacy Alumni Association.

For Kibra residents, the medical camp was more than a commemoration—it was a lifeline. Mothers brought their children for vaccination, elderly residents queued for blood pressure and diabetes checks, while others received medication they might not otherwise have been able to afford.

“This is what makes the celebration special,” said Dr. Mwangi. “We didn’t just gather to look back at our history, but to give something back to the community. The people of Kibra will always be part of our legacy.”

The Golden Jubilee celebrations will continue throughout 2025, with alumni pledging to keep supporting young pharmacists in training while advancing healthcare for Kenyans.