Dr. Lucy Achieng has been working as a Medical Officer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology department at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya for the past three years.
"My work means a lot to me because I get to support pregnant women, new mothers, and their families through some of the most important moments in their lives. I’m dedicated to making sure every pregnancy is safe and every mother and baby have the best possible start.”
Her deep passion for maternal and child health, and her desire to make a tangible impact through dedication and expertise, drew her to obstetrics.
On a weekly basis, Dr. Achieng performs 20 to 30 cesarean sections. “I strive to reduce maternal and infant mortality, promote healthy families, and create a supportive and safe experience for every mother I serve.”
To do that, she must stay up to date on evidence-based care. She is deeply engaged with Jhpiego’s efforts to improve surgical safety for mothers and to provide a positive care experience for them and their families. Through the Obstetric Safe Surgery (OSS) project, funded by the Global Surgery Foundation, Jhpiego partners with the Ministry of Health (Division of Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health), Nakuru County Government, and Kijabe Hospital to strengthen surgical teams and reduce cesarean-related complications.
Dr. Achieng regularly reviews the Jhpiego OSS training materials and provides high-quality care, while rigorously following infection prevention practices and the surgical safety checklist, which have significantly improved patient outcomes in her facility.
“When a surgery is successful and both mother and baby are healthy, it fills me with profound gratitude and purpose. It’s a reminder of why I chose this path.”
Putting practices introduced by Jhpiego into action has made a real difference. Through her work, she’s championed infection prevention practices and the surgical safety checklist—changes that have led to fewer surgical site infections and stronger teamwork among staff. With the infection prevention package—including preventive antibiotics, vaginal cleansing, and proper skin preparation—her facility has seen a clear reduction in infections. Using the surgical safety checklist more consistently has also brought her team closer and improved how they work together.
Dr. Achieng believes seamless communication and timely decision-making are essential to ensuring positive outcomes. She emphasizes that patient safety is paramount and achieving it requires strong teamwork in the operating room.
Her field stands as a powerful blend of technical skill, emotional connection, and lifelong impact.
“Let your hand be steady, your mind sharp, and your heart full,” she says. “Surgery isn’t just about saving lives; it’s about honoring the trust placed in you to do so.”
Frank Kimaro is a Manager for Communications, Branding, and Knowledge Management in Jhpiego's Tanzania office.
Lisa Noguchi is the Director for Maternal and Newborn Health at Jhpiego.
