Dr Mutiso leads a life that blends the rigours of academia, patient care, and the pursuit of excellence in minimally invasive surgery, a medical procedure done with small incisions (cuts).
The consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist’s weekly routine follows a rhythm of early starts, patient interactions, and dedicated surgery days at the Aga Khan University Hospital.
He earned his master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Aga Khan University, Nairobi and has a postgraduate certificate in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery from the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE).
Periodically, he examines postgraduate students at the Aga Khan University, Nairobi, where he is an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynaecology.
"Let's say I have a patient who has gone through a tough pregnancy journey; that moment of her delivery and the joy that comes with it fills me with joy."
“Specialise in minimally invasive surgery, a field that’s both challenging and endlessly fascinating,” he offers.
It’s been a 14-year journey for the medical doctor and a decade long, through the highs and lows of obstetrics and gynaecology.
For him, medicine is a calling. “It’s the profound joy of ushering new life into the world and the job satisfaction that comes with it. Let’s say I have a patient who has gone through a tough pregnancy journey; that moment of her delivery and the joy that comes with it fills me with joy.”
He says he was drawn to minimally invasive surgery mainly because “we live in a part of the world whose healthcare is still not up to standards with developed nations.”
He decided to pursue the field so that he could bring that kind of “quality healthcare to our women.”
The most rewarding aspect of his job, he says, is wrapping up every day knowing that he has made a positive change.
He is mainly inspired by his parents.
“First and foremost, they were both teachers, and their journeys highly motivated me to get into a teaching position. And then there’s Dr Timona Obura, a mentor who’s guided me in the intricate world of minimally invasive surgery. Today, we work in the same department, and I admire his professionalism.”
Despite his achievements, he remains humble, grounded by his humble background. “The first thing that growing up in a household that doesn’t have much teaches you is the value of hard work and the power to seize opportunities. You should make the best out of every opportunity you get to achieve anything, whether in education or at work,” he advises.
“I don’t know who nominated me, but I’m elated. It’s not just a nod to my work; it’s a validation that I’m on the right track. Such nominations are a push to keep going, especially in a field where holidays are a luxury, and work never truly takes a break,” he says.
Lilys Njeru