Prof. Kirana M. Bhatt

Prof. Kirana Bhatt, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Peter Eriki, the WHO's East Africa chief, spoke about new initiatives for his organization's 3X5 program, and Kirana Bhatt, a professor of medicine at the University of Nairobi, discussed the challenges in providing anti-retroviral treatment.

A lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Prof Kirna Bhatt, says a drug commonly used against sleeping sickness - Melarsoprol - had toxic effects, which infected the patient's brain and kidneys, sometimes leading to death.

She identified lack of awareness and adherence to outmoded tribal traditions among local communities as the main factors in spreading the diseases.

"Most of those afflicted, for example, seek treatment when it is too late and they have to bear the brunt of living with a painful disease, such as filariasis, where a victim's testicles become enlarged and painful," she said.

The recent outbreaks are particularly worrying because people have not built up immunity to the malaria parasite, according to K. M. Bhatt, an infectious and tropical disease specialist at the University of Nairobi.

"Epidemics are now more deadly, particularly for humans who do not have immunity and are taken by surprise when they're bitten," she said.

said Kirana M. Bhatt, senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine, University of Nairobi.

said Kirana M. Bhatt, senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine, University of Nairobi.

Meet professor and Professor Bhatt
...
Kirana Bhatt

Both are professors in medicine, and work in the same institution.At one time, examiners were forced to separate them because the two sat together, and answered the same questions the same way.Above all, both joined the world of medicine as a result of awful experiences in the hands of doctors.

With such an uncanny semblance, it is no wonder then that Kirana Bhatt and Shrikant Bhatt are often referred to as twins, though they were born two years apart.Kirana, the elder, is an associate professor in the department of medicine, University of Nairobi; Shrikant is a senior professor.Brother and sister are renowned for having made great contributions to the research and treatment of tropical diseases, in careers spanning over three decades.

The duo of Shrikant and Kirana operate in spectacular unity with a similar gauge of ardour and aptitude.
...
Kirana, just like her brother, is small-built and stands at slightly above four feet.As a lecturer and researcher, Kirana, has played a pivotal role in malaria research.She represents KEMRI on the scientific advisory committee on drugs for neglected diseases initiative.She has been chairing the ethics and research committee of KNH for more than ten years and also sits on the ethics committee of KEMRI.Besides, since 1975, Kirana has been a volunteer with St. John's Ambulance and has been chief surgeon for St. John's Ambulance for the past three years.

The desire to treat beckoned Kirana during her formative years.

"I used to act and play doctor, not knowing what it meant," she says.

"When I was growing up, I read about Dr David Livingstone and other missionaries who assisted people, and I too wanted to do something like them."

But her ultimate decision to take medicine was cemented when she fell sick at one time.

"I got very sick and interestingly, the doctor looking after me didn't know what was wrong with me and did not seek a second opinion.He looked helpless, and I thought I was going to die ...

Terrible sunburn

Just like Kirana, Shrikant too had a horrific episode.Since he is allergic to the sun, he often suffered terrible sunburn.
...
Shrikant boasts an impressive 30-page CV. While there was no resistance for Shrikant's dreams, medicine for Kirana didn't come easy.She withstood opposition from relatives who thought that a woman's place is in the kitchen and the maternity ward.They wanted her to get married immediately.

"But my father stood by me and would often say, ‘better my sons to go naked and hungry, but Kirana gets education'," she says.

Apparently, this firm move did not augur well with the seemingly chauvinistic relatives, but Kirana was saved.She would become one of the finest doctors in the country.
...
Githeri, especially cooked in an earthen pot is perfect," Kirana says.

By sticking at KNH, the Bhatt siblings have baffled friends and foes alike.With their kind of experience, nothing would prevent the duo from going private and make a killing in the evergreen medical meadow.

So, what keeps them here?

"Love for human life more than money," Kirana responds thoughtfully."Our day is made when we've made someone happy.In life money is just a necessity and not an end in itself," she explains.
...
It has saved lives, and there is no meaning abandoning innocent people in pursuit of money," Shrikant states categorically, his statements receiving strong affirmative nods from Kirana.
...
In 1968, Kirana joined the University of Nairobi.Shrikant followed a year later.On completing undergraduate and postgraduate studies, later, Shrikant did masters at John Hopkins, USA studying infectious diseases.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases was the place for Kirana, where she mastered in clinical tropical medicine.Previously she was at the Royal College of Physicians, for a diploma.In 1979, Shrikhant joined the Clinical Research Centre, now KEMRI before joining UoN.

Having spotted their academic prowess, lecturers did not want to lose track of the two promising ‘twins'.This was evident when Shrikant completed his first degree in 1974 and was taken straight for postgraduate studies without waiting for the prerequisite three years.Interestingly, while Kirana was ahead of her brother, she later sat in the same class with him.

"The students went on strike, and the university closed for a whole year," she says and smiled bemused.

Their typical day begins at 4.30am.They leave the house at 7am.While driving they say prayers for about an hour, and at 8am work begins - moving from class to class and ward to ward.They retire home late in the evenings.

Kirana volunteers her free time to coach students, a move that has endeared her in the campus corridors.

Charitable instincts

Kirana likes gardening.
...
He preached moderation and encouraged us to treat each other as human beings," Kirana says.
...
We must love all, and serve all," insists Kirana.Apart from that, Kirana informs us that together with well wishers they have adopted Ward 8 D at KNH.
...
"We believe in putting God first as our guide in all we do," Kirana offers.

Kirana is also a recipient of University of Nairobi merit award on outstanding performance.The day before this interview she had just received the Afya Excellency Award on Malaria.

Training professionals

Married with two children, Shrikant lives in Nairobi.Kirana chose to remain single, and still lives with her two brothers in the same compound.
...
Apart from malaria, Kirana has also researched widely on, elephantiasis and Leishmaniasis.She is also a consultant at Kenya Aids Vaccine Initiative - Kavi.

For 13 years, Shrikant was running the Diabetic clinic at the KNH.He has also taught rheumatology .

The EDCTP visiting team together with the DCCC member Dr Walter Jaoko had separate meetings with several officials including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Professor Crispus M. Kiamba; the Chief Science Secretary, Dr Rispah N. Oduwo; the Head of the European Union delegation in Kenya, ambassador Eric van der Linden; the WHO Resident Representative to Kenya, Dr David O. Okello; the Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi, Professor G.A.O Magoha; Deputy Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi, Professor Jacob T. Kaimenyi; Director of the Office of International Programmes, Professor Kenneth Muema Mavuti; and the Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Institutional Ethics Committee, Professor Kirana Bhatt among others.