Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey began amid Kenya’s healthcare issues, when Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah, now the 33-year-old National Secretary General & Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), emerged as a revolutionary leader. His journey, distinguished by bravery and steadfast commitment, exemplifies the spirit of service in one of the country’s most difficult domains. From advocating for better working conditions to promoting policy reforms, Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey has inspired many Kenyans to believe in change.
I recently experienced the impact of such dedication firsthand. Having struggled with fluorosis since age 8 due to unclean water in Lower Kabete, I’ve been insecure about my smile since primary school. Last month, my insurance covered dental bonding at Vimak Dental Centre. This masks imperfections by applying a thin layer of composite resin to conceal discoloration.
Watching the dentist skillfully inject anesthesia into my gums, I was in awe of their precision in such a sensitive area. The thought of performing that myself felt daunting; I’d fear causing pain. It reinforced my belief that dentistry, pharmacy, and leadership are true callings. God-given vocations to serve others, like many professions we’ll explore in this series. Inspired, I researched impactful Kenyan doctors and discovered Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey, a perfect fit for this series exploring extreme professions. Inspired, I researched and discovered Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey, a brilliant embodiment to launch our series on extraordinary callings.
Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey Begins in Kibera
Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah’s healthcare hero journey began in the Katwekera slums of Kibera. He was born into a family of 14 children in one of Nairobi’s most impoverished areas. He is the secretary general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) However, with an unemployment rate in Kibera hovering around 50% and residents earning less than $2 daily, his early life was a testament to resilience, shaping his resolve to transform healthcare for both workers and patients. He saw firsthand the inequities in healthcare access that afflicted his neighborhood. These early experiences impacted his worldview and fueled his Healthcare Hero Journey to transform healthcare for workers and patients.
Academic Achievement: A Path Out of Poverty.
His academic success became his way out of poverty. He received straight As at St. Joseph’s Rapogi Secondary School and was accepted to the University of Nairobi’s pharmacy program in 2009. He was initially drawn to the priesthood under Archbishop Philip Anyolo’s mentoring, but later chose pharmacy as a bridge between science and service. His undergraduate years (2009-2013) demonstrated his maturity in leadership and action, establishing the framework for his Healthcare Hero Journey.
He was Vice Chairman of the Nairobi University Pharmacy Student Association (NUPSA) from 2009 to 2010. Later, from 2012 to 2013, he was a key founder of the Kenya Pharmacy Student Association (KePhSA), which aimed to strengthen student voices in healthcare.From 2013 to 2014, Atellah was the Information and Communication Officer for the International Pharmacy Students Federation (IPSF) in Africa. From 2010 to 2013, he served as a congressman for the Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU), honing his leadership skills and laying the groundwork for his transformative role with KMPDU.
From Pharmacist to Advocate: A Key Milestone
Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey was forged through dedicated pharmacy roles, blending clinical expertise with a passion for systemic change. From April to December 2014, he interned at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, distributing medications, managing inventory, and establishing pharmacist-patient relationships, which solidified his passion for healthcare reform.
By September 2016, Atellah had been promoted to the position of Pharmacist at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru, where she had worked for more than eight years. He oversaw the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) and Tuberculosis (TB) clinics, supervised interns, maintained inventory correctness, and evaluated patient treatment adherence during ward rounds.
From September 2014 to May 2015, he worked as an order manager and patient advisor for Kileshwa Pharmaceuticals Limited in Nairobi. From April 2015 until September 2016, he was Sub-County Pharmacist in Subukia Sub-County, where he handled medicine procurement and established performance assessment tools for healthcare personnel.These responsibilities, which combined clinical labor and systemic activism, were critical in Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey. From June 2016 to May 2021, he served as KMPDU’s South Rift Branch Secretary, fighting for better circumstances in Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, Kajiado, Narok, and Laikipia counties while improving his advocacy abilities.
Leading KMPDU: A Global Impact
Atellah rose to prominence in Kenya’s medical community after being elected KMPDU National Secretary General in May 2021. Following a 56-day strike, his leadership obtained a historic KSh 206,000 monthly salary for medical interns in 2024, which was celebrated at the KMPDU Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa. “The interns’ pay wasn’t negotiable. “It’s about dignity and fair compensation,” Atellah said, gaining the gratitude of the interns.
As the youngest member of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) ruling council, Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey takes him all over the world. He represents Kenya in the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, advocating for decent work. At the 77th 2024 World Health Assembly, he encouraged leaders to cancel loans for low- and middle-income countries to support universal healthcare.
Named one of Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2024, Atellah’s impact spans grassroots and policy levels. On X, he amplifies healthcare workers’ struggles, notably mourning Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi’s death in 2024: “Dr. Moraa’s death underscores the harsh realities faced by many healthcare workers in Kenya, enduring poor conditions, isolation, and neglect.”
Digitally, Atellah actively engages on X, amplifying the challenges and aspirations of healthcare workers. His internet campaigning has been critical in rallying public support during strikes and raising awareness about issues such as the tragic death of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, who died by suicide in 2024. “Dr. Moraa’s death underscores the harsh realities faced by many healthcare workers in Kenya, enduring poor conditions, isolation, and neglect,” he said on X.
https://twitter.com/Davji/status/1838594383571976374
Overcoming Challenges in Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey
Atellah balances his busy job with family life as a father of five, gaining inspiration from his children. He is pursuing a Master of Clinical Pharmacology at Moi University (2017-2020) and a Master of Philosophy in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh. These will help inform his fight for more simplified healthcare laws. Atellah’s leadership has not been without obstacles. He has received criticism from county administrations and battled with political meddling in the licensing of foreign doctors.
In a 2025 interview with The Standard, he remarked, “There is a lot of political involvement from lawmakers and the ministry, when people call KMPDC and order them to license doctors right away without any inspection. This is why we have an infusion of foreign doctors,” emphasising the systemic challenges that complicate healthcare regulation. Despite these obstacles, he remains steadfast, often framing his work as a deeply personal mission. His ability to manage complicated talks, such as the agreement with Nairobi County to terminate a 39-day strike in April 2025, demonstrates his strategic thinking and unflinching resolve.
Conclusion
Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah’s Healthcare Hero Journey is a triumph against adversity, motivated by justice and duty. From Katwekera’s slums to leading KMPDU, his campaign for fair salaries, better working conditions, and worldwide health reforms has changed people’s lives. His work symbolizes a spiritual calling to serve the same way as those competent dentists at Vimak Dental Centre who restormy smile. His Healthcare Hero Journey guarantees that healthcare personnel thrive, which benefits the patients they serve, and motivates us all to pursue our callings in this series. Discover another inspiring story of service in our series here.
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