Dr Jacqueline Kitulu
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Dr Jacqueline Kitulu has been elected President of the World Medical Association (WMA), securing a decisive victory with 100 votes against Professor Caldas Alfonso of Portugal at the WMA's 75th General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland.
Set to serve from 2025 to 2026, Dr. Kitulu will become only the second Kenyan to hold this prestigious position since the association's establishment in 1947, following Dr. Samuel Karanja's tenure from 1995 to 1996. Currently serving as the President of the Kenya Medical Association, Dr. Kitulu brings over 15 years of experience as a family physician to her new role. Her impressive professional background includes chairing the Kenya Medical Women's Association from 2008 to 2012 and holding the position of First Deputy Governor of the Kenya Red Cross Society.
She has enhanced her medical expertise with an MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore Business School. Dr. Kitulu's academic credentials are equally distinguished. As a Professor of Psychiatry and Dean of Agha Khan University, she has maintained an active presence in international academic circles. Her roles as a Visiting Scientist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town's Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health demonstrate her commitment to advancing medical education and research globally.
Furthermore, her membership in the World Health Organization's World Mental Health Surveys Consortium positions her at the forefront of global mental health initiatives. As the new WMA President, Dr. Kitulu will be responsible for promoting the highest standards of medical ethics and advocating for physician and patient rights worldwide. Based in Washington, D.C., the WMA plays a crucial role in shaping health policy and advancing research to improve healthcare quality both nationally and globally.
Her election has garnered widespread recognition, including congratulations from Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kipkorir Sing'oei. Dr. Kitulu's achievements, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Kenya Medical Association in 2019, reflect her dedication to healthcare excellence.