This archive report was first published on 27 September 2021.
From India to Kenya: The Journey of Dr. Pallavi Mishra ¶
Dr. Pallavi Mishra, a gynaecologist and founding member of Mediheal Group of Hospitals, has made a name for herself in Kenya's medical community. Born in India, Dr. Mishra moved to Kenya with her husband, Kesses MP Swarup Mishra, and has since established a successful medical practice.
Published on September 27, 2021, Dr. Mishra spoke to EveWoman about her focus on helping women with infertility issues and her experiences as a gynaecologist in Kenya.
Dr. Mishra's journey to becoming a gynaecologist was not always planned. 'I never dreamed of becoming a doctor or anything close to that,' she said. 'The majority of Indian women back in the day were housewives.' However, her father encouraged her to pursue a professional career, and she went on to study medicine.
Dr. Mishra's decision to relocate to Kenya was driven by her desire to help women with infertility issues. 'We came to learn about Kenya while in Mumbai, a lot of patients came to Mumbai from Kenya, and most had kidney problems,' she explained. 'I got a job in Kenya and that is why we came here.'
As a gynaecologist, Dr. Mishra has seen firsthand the impact of infertility on women and couples. 'Infertility is on the rise, mostly because of our lifestyle,' she said. 'Most women are career-oriented, they delay conceiving which sometimes affects the fertility clock.'
Dr. Mishra's practice has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We had difficult moments,' she said. 'As a private hospital, we need a minimum income that can support the salaries of our employees.'
Despite the challenges, Dr. Mishra remains committed to her work and her community. 'I encourage them to visit gynaecologists early as couples when they are having a difficult time conceiving,' she said. 'It takes a while for people to understand. I think we should create a lot of awareness that fertility is not a problem for women alone.'
Dr. Mishra's story is one of determination and hard work. From her early days as a medical student to her current role as a gynaecologist and entrepreneur, she has always been driven by a desire to help others.
As she looks back on her journey, Dr. Mishra is proud of what she has achieved. 'I thank my father who always told me that he didn’t want me to be a housewife,' she said. 'My father told me to get a professional career, I grew up with that in mind.'
Dr. Mishra's advice to career women is to balance their work and personal lives. 'A career is very important,' she said. 'I think every woman should endeavour to have one and this can happen at any time of her life.'
As for her hobbies, Dr. Mishra enjoys gardening and spending time with her plants. 'Plants have a way of relaxing my mind,' she said. 'Any time I need a break from work or a stressful week, my garden and plants do that for me.'
Dr. Mishra's parting shot is a message of support for her fellow women. 'Partners should always support each other and help each other grow no matter what challenges they are going through,' she said.
