Elizabeth Ngugi

Ngugi started nursing at the Kenyatta National Hospital in 1960, as the Sister in Charge of paediatric health.[2] In 1979 she was promoted to deputy chief nursing officer at the Ministry of Health.[2][3] In 1981, while still practicing as a nurse, Ngugi presented a paper about the emerging, new role of nurses in the Kenyan health system. She emphasized that the role of a nurse is not only caring for the patient, but engaging with and caring for the patient's family members as well.[4] Ngugi studied at Columbia Pacific University for her BA and Masters in Nursing Administration from 1983–1985, and earned a PhD in social work in 1989.[5][6] In 1986 she became a lecturer in the University of Nairobi, School of Public Health and was eventually promoted to the position of Kenyan national AIDS coordinator.[2][6]

Ngugi was involved in an international collaboration in Nairobi to engage with sex workers and help them to tackle sexual transmitted diseases.[1][3][6] She joined in 1984 as a nurse, and made efforts to reach out to sex workers instead of stigmatising them.[6][7] Much of Ngugi's research focused on these vulnerable communities, and she provided them with medical care, advice and free condoms in return for participation.[6] She was involved in research that studied the efficacy of a contraceptive sponge in preventing new HIV infections about Nairobi sex workers. The study found no evidence in the effectiveness of the contraceptive sponge in reducing infections.[8] By helping the sex workers to collectively demand condom use from their clients, their utilisation has soared from 4% to 90%, even though men often offer more money for unprotected sex.[7] Her empowering approach has been praised by public health experts.[7]

In 1984, Ngugi in collaboration with Frank Plummer from the University of Manitoba, helped establish the Majengo Clinic in Majengo, Kenya. The clinic has gone on to serve as a site for a multitude of HIV/AIDS research and as a site for sex workers to receive treatment and prevention services for sexually transmitted diseases.[9] Through this clinic, Ngugi worked in the forefront of treating sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia.[10] Ngugi and Frank Plummer from Manitoba published a study indicating levels of long-lived HIV resistance among Kenyan sex workers who work in Majengo, Nairobi.[11][12] Ngugi decried the fact that these women contribute so much to research but are still living in poverty and must sell their bodies to survive.[12]

In 1991 she became director of the collaborative HIV/AIDS effort with the University of Manitoba, a role she held until 2006.[2] Ngugi was promoted to Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba in her final year of directorship.[2] In 1992 Ngugi established HerStory (initially as the Kenya Voluntary Women Rehabilitation Centre) to support sex workers to escape prostitution with training, support and microfinance.[3][13][14][15] Now HerStory also looks after AIDS orphans.[3]

In 1992, Ngugi with Peter Piot, Jonathan Mann, Bila Kapita, Robert Colebunders co-authored "AIDS IN AFRICA: A manual for physicians" and published it through WHO for the purpose of aiding physicians in diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The manual also served as an educational material for physicians on what should be expected and on the possible transmission methods of HIV.[16]

Ngugi established the University of Nairobi Centre of HIV Prevention and Research in 2006.[2] She also led the implementation of government efforts against HIV/AIDS including the building of ten drop-in centres for vulnerable populations in Northern/Eastern Kenya.[2]

For her contributions to public health in Kenya Ngugi has been awarded many accolades, including:

• 2004 UN Kenyan of the Year.[2][17]
• 2004/5 Order of the Golden Warrior Presidential Award.[2][13]

Ngugi has a son who practises law in Nairobi.[3]