The doctor who finds passion in philanthropic work ✨nside Kenya’s Medical Internship Crisis: The Realities, Struggles, and Advice for Pre-Interns
In this week’s episode of Daktari: A Quick One, we tackle one of the most sensitive and heavily debated topics in Kenya’s medical community — medical internship. Often described as the toughest year in a doctor’s career, internship in Kenya has faced numerous challenges in recent years, from delayed postings to hostile work environments.
Our special guests, Dr. Leez Renske and Dr. Nyadimu, sit down to unpack their own internship journeys, the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned — offering valuable advice for current interns and those about to join the frontline.
📌 The Internship Struggles No One Talks About
Internship is supposed to be a structured period where young doctors and clinical officers gain supervised, practical experience before independent practice. But in Kenya, it has become a complex and emotionally draining phase for many.
Delayed postings have left thousands of graduates stranded, anxiously waiting for months to be deployed, often without clear communication from the Ministry of Health.
Payment disputes between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the government have further worsened the situation, with interns sometimes going for months without salaries.
Working 36-hour shifts, in resource-limited environments, often without enough staff or basic equipment, has made the workload unbearable for many young medics.
An alarming issue of toxicity and negative work culture against interns has dominated conversations, with cases of bullying, harassment, and unrealistic expectations set by seniors.
Tragically, some interns — overwhelmed by frustration and despair — have resorted to self-harm, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms in internship management and workplace culture within Kenyan healthcare facilities.
🎙️ Internship Survival Tips from Dr. Leez and Dr. Nyadimu
In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Leez and Dr. Nyadimu debate their unique internship experiences, offering actionable advice on:
✅ How to navigate difficult seniors while maintaining professionalism
✅ Building supportive relationships with fellow interns and clinical staff
✅ Managing stress, exhaustion, and imposter syndrome during high-pressure calls
✅ Advocating for yourself while still respecting hospital hierarchies
✅ Balancing learning opportunities with self-care and mental wellness
If you're a pre-intern preparing for your first hospital posting, or currently struggling through internship, this episode is packed with tips, encouragement, and real talk you need to hear.
🏆 Call to Action: Nominate Your Medic Hero!
We wrap up the episode by reminding our listeners to get involved in the upcoming Top Daktari Awards 2025, set for December 2025.
This is your chance to shine a light on those medics — interns, clinical officers, consultants, or nurses — who go above and beyond in patient care, mentorship, or advocacy.
Nominations are open now! Head over to our website or social media pages to nominate your favorite healthcare hero today.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Daktari: A Quick One on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
Let’s keep the conversation going — because no doctor should suffer in silence.
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