CTRH S04E12

Ever found yourself wondering what all the fuss around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is actually about? Isn’t it the same as male circumcision, where only the foreskin is cut off? For the men, have you ever sat and imagined what your life would be like if your parents and relatives held you down as a teenage boy and cut off your penis, scrotum, and testicles, claiming this was the best way to celebrate you coming of age and calling it an important step towards claiming your manhood? Well, buckle up, folks, today’s episode is an intense one.

The WHO defines Female Genital Mutilation as comprising all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and can result in severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, menstrual difficulties, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The practice of FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The practice also violates a person's right to health, security, and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and the right to life, in instances when the procedure results in death.

Dr. Muriu Kinuthia joins us on today’s episode to discuss in detail important aspects of FGM, including the reconstructive procedures available to women who were subjected to this practice. It is a very technical conversation, but both Dr. Muriu and Dr. Claire took time to help simplify the conversation so that you, the audience, can literally become an expert on the topic. We hope that by doing so, everyone watching or listening can fully understand and feel empowered enough to speak up in their own communities to help put an end to this dangerous practice.

Dr. Muriu Kinuthia is a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon in private practice in Nairobi, with a strong passion for microsurgery, a very complex and delicate aspect of his field. He is also an associate editor for a plastic surgery journal, the PRS Global Open. He strives to ensure that clinical practice is evidence-based and that patients receive care that is safe and that can be replicated internationally at the same high-quality standard. His hobbies include a passion for photography and playing the guitar, which serves as both a relaxation tool and a means to keep his hands well-exercised, given the intricate surgeries he performs.

Connect with Dr. Muriu on all social media platforms @dr.muriu.kinuthia To book an appointment with Dr. Muriu, call PrimeCare Health Services on 0712 220 450

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

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#FemaleGenitalMutilation #FGMAwareness #reconstructionafterFGM #plasticsurgery #reproductivehealth #sexualhealth #mentalhealth #debunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast

On today’s episode, Dr. Claire hosts the amazing author Joan Thatiah to discuss her 5-book series “The confessions of Nairobi Men and Women”. Initially, this series trended online on the premise that it was about the debauchery that Nairobi is quite famous for, which got everyone running to secure their copies. For anyone who actually read the books though, they discovered a heartbreaking collection of true stories depicting abuse that adversely shaped or formed the basis for derailment of multiple lives. These are truly confronting and heartbreaking stories that made or broke those brave enough to share.

Dr. Claire explores Joan’s journey to becoming an author and how she came to compile the powerful stories in this series of books. They explore the culture of insect in families, SGBV and child sexual exploitation by those in positions of power, with an important focus on the impact these incidences have on the survivors and in some cases the perpetrators themselves. They also explore the power of storytelling in SGBV advocacy; how it helps educate others about perils they may never have otherwise considered, how it starts conversations in rooms where policies and laws can be created to protect vulnerable groups, and how it helps survivors find their voice and take their power back. Finally, they explore how Joan was able to debrief and take care of her own mental health after listening to such jarring and triggering stories of human suffering; how she discovered the importance of prioritising her own mental health and her role in helping amplify the voices of those often unheard or unbelieved and abandoned in Nairobi’s fast-paced man-eat-man culture.

Joan Thatiah is a celebrated award winning Kenyan author, journalist and fearless storyteller with a knack for capturing the nuances of modern Kenyan life. She is passionate about amplifying African voices and experiences, drawing inspiration from her surroundings. Her voice is unmistakeable: bold and deeply rooted in the realities of the people she writes about. If she weren’t a writer, she would be a psychiatrist because the human mind fascinates her.

The Confessions series consists of 5 books:

Confessions of Nairobi women

Confessions of Nairobi men

Confessions of Nairobi women book 2

Confessions of Nairobi men Book 2

Confessions of Nairobi men and women - The final chapter

Connect with Joan on all social media platforms @joanthatiah & @storizetuthebookstore to purchase her books and many others. The bookstore website is

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

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#thepowerofstorytelling #SRHRAdovocacy #healingthroughsharing #reproductivehealth #sexualhealth #mentalhealth #debunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast

This is a very special episode for Dr. Claire, who, despite being a fantastic women’s health specialist herself, battles ongoing debilitating pain from endometriosis and uterine fibroids; 2 very common Gynaecological chronic illnesses that she helps her patients navigate daily.

Once again, hosting the brilliant Mwari Muthaura, a clinical psychotherapist (herself also living with several chronic illnesses as discussed in the episode). The conversation today is a much-needed one, focusing on the emotional and psychological/mental health aspects of chronic illness, especially focused on women. Despite living longer than men on average, it has been found that women spend an average of 25% more years in poor health. This translates to a woman living an average of 9 years of her life in poor health.

The women's health gap refers to the systemic underfunding, lack of research, and biased data that lead to disparities in healthcare access, diagnosis, and treatment for women, resulting in poorer health outcomes and significant economic costs. This gap arises from traditional healthcare systems failing to account for biological and gender differences, leading to conditions like heart attack symptoms being missed in women and adverse drug reactions being more common due to exclusion from clinical trials. This results in a woman struggling with poor health at a time when she should be at her peak, which affects her ability to be present and/or productive at home, at work, and in her community.

Mwari & Dr. Claire discuss several key aspects to chronic illness from common reactions when a difficult diagnosis is confirmed, including the various stages of grief experienced, (including for those notorious type A high-achievers who struggle significantly with accepting their health becoming a limitation to their carefully mapped out goals and success) They explore the stigma, judgment and criticism women face at home and in the work place for failing to perform at 100% even as they juggle medical treatments, repeat surgeries and mental anguish from debilitating illness. They share advice to caregivers and medics looking after these women, to help them support their loved ones and patients better.

This episode is a powerful one, so brace yourself to take some extensive notes and likely shed a few tears. It includes a very vulnerable session where Mwari guides Dr. Claire through an exercise designed to help you, listening or watching at home, to deeply explore your own situation in a meaningful manner. Consider it a first step in the right direction for anyone facing a major health scare or challenging diagnosis.

Mwari is an American-trained, certified Psychotherapist working both in private practice as well as in the corporate space here in Kenya. She is also very artistic & creates her own line of gorgeous #madeinKenya jewellery.

Connect with Mwari on all social media platforms @therapywithmwari & @daintypurplebutterfly

To purchase her beautiful jewellery pieces, visit @mwari_giftcottage on Instagram.

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

How can you support this podcast?

Subscribe & Rate this episode, Share & leave a comment.

#navigatingchronicillness, #mentalhealthinchronicillness, #womenhealthgap, #WomenHealthAdvocacy, #reproductivehealth, #sexualhealth, #mentalhealth, #debunkingmyths, #Edutainment, #CTRHPodcast,

Today, on @ctrh_podcast Dr. Claire has the pleasure of sitting down for a candid conversation with Doreen Moracha, a young, ambitious and very energetic young woman who has been living with HIV all her life.

The conversation takes a deep dive into her journey so far, including a dramatic visit to the spiritual healer in Tanzania who promised the world a HIV cure, navigating the challenge of acceptance & navigating ARV compliance. We also talk about the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, the sudden change of perspective to where young people no longer fear HIV and instead are more afraid of pregnancy. Finally, the discussion also goes on to detail current preventive measures available, the current treatment options available, the devastating effect of withdrawal of support by the US government via USAID and the possibility of a HIV cure on the horizon.

Doreen Moracha is a passionate HIV educator and advocate who has dedicated her life to fighting misinformation online and educating others so as to prevent further transmission of the virus. Her online audience know her as the undetectable queen who has spent 32 years thriving with HIV. She is also a globe trotter and a digital creator. Engage with her on social media via her handle @yes_i_have_hiv

Doreen, thank you so much for sharing your story so candidly on the podcast and for the amazing work you do on a daily basis. We appreciate you and give you all your flowers. 💐

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

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Subscribe & Rate this episode, Share & leave a comment.

#hivadvocacy #livingwithhiv #thrivingwithhiv #arvcompliance #usaid #hivcure #mentalhealth #reproductivehealth #conversationstarter #dybunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast

On today’s episode of @ctrh_podcast Dr. Claire hosts the super bubbly Nanjie Galgalo, a content creator & brand influencer who bravely shares her journey living with PCOS with her online audience, with the aim to inform and educate so as to burst any myths about the still poorly understood condition. What she may not realize is that by living her life in full colour, she inspires so many women by showing us that living with a chronic reproductive health diagnosis isn’t necessarily the grim existence one may expect.

This episode is for anyone who has received a similar diagnosis and is seeking to clarify any misinformation commonly shared online. Hopefully providing an accurate description so as to help you avoid “quick fixes” peddled online. The key messaging is that there are safe treatment options available and that self-advocacy at your doctor’s is a powerful first step to living your fullest most vibrant life.

Make sure to check out Nanjie’s social media pages to properly experience her sunny personality.

@nanjiegalgalo, ours is a heartfelt appreciation of you for allowing us to experience your amazing energy on the pod set as you so bravely share your story with our audience. You are pure magic. ✨

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

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#pcoswarrior #livinglifewithchronicillness #pcosinformation #mentalhealth #reproductivehealth #conversationstarter #dybunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast

Today on @ctrh_podcast Dr. Claire hosts wealth management guru Winnie Wanjaria for an introductory episode to a series on wealth management and financial literacy for healthcare professionals.

Recognizing the gap left by the lack of this crucial information during medical training, they explore various aspects of matters money as applies to the unique circumstances and varying streams of income for healthcare providers, specifically so here in Kenya. This is one of those episodes where you’ll need to bring out your pen & notepad!

Winnie Wanjaria is a wealth management consultant who is enthusiastic about financial freedom. She is based in Nairobi & has a wealth of experience working with healthcare professionals to help them achieve their financial goals.

Connect with Winnie

winniewanjaria@gmail.com

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

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#financialliteracy #moneyformedics #moneymatters #medicalpractice #wealthmanagementinhealthcare #financialsecurity #buildingapractice #buildingcommunity #conversationstarter #dybunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast

On today’s episode of @ctrh_podcast Dr. Claire hosts the charismatic Dr. Naph Macharia, a now highly respected dentist in Nairobi who took the internet by storm during the Covid lockdown.

As two respected & influential doctors online, they discuss what it takes to build an online audience, gain respect and authority & leverage a following into conversions in practice. This episode is for any budding medical professional looking to gain insights on the inner workings of digital marketing specific to this unique niche.

This in-depth discussion also offers insights on medical ethics with respect to health education and audience engagement online. The audience will also learn about the challenges that come with navigating a public platform as a medical professional.

Curious about how doctors are using the available technology to fight misinformation and how can you better navigate all the content now available on your smartphone to gain knowledge while sifting out wrong or harmful information? Curious about how to make use of AI and other new tech to give you an edge in your practice? Wondering where to start when considering adding social media to your portfolio? Then this is exactly the right episode for you.

Dr. Naph Macharia is a respected dental implant surgeon, currently pursuing his masters in aesthetic dentistry & is also the CEO & co-founder of the Dental Spa, a vibrant dental practice here in Nairobi, Kenya. He is more fondly known online as a lover of life, GLC 250 enthusiast & dentist to the stars✨ with an impressive 200k following across various social media platforms

Connect with Daktari on socials @dr.naph_macharia

& his practice @thedenralspake

CTRH podcast Location partner:

@ashleyfurniturekenya

@fairdealfurniture

Production by @artlight

How can you support this podcast?

Subscribe & Rate this episode, Share & leave a comment.

#influentialdoctor #healtheducationonline #fightingmisinformation #socialmediaasatool #doctorsonline #buildingapractice #buildingcommunity #conversationstarter #dybunkingmyths #Edutainment #CTRHPodcast