Sr. Dr. Justina Geraldine Najjuka (referred to as Sister Doctor Justina Liliana Lucy Geraldine Najjuka) is a Ugandan religious sister, author and plastic surgeon. She was the first African Roman Catholic nun to become a surgeon in East and Central Africa.
Sr. Dr. Justina Liliana Lucy Geraldine Najjuka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justina Liliana Lucy Geraldine Najjuka Mukono, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Other names | Geraldine Najjuka |
| Alma mater | Makerere University Uganda Martyrs University |
| Occupation(s) | Doctor, Author, Nun |
| Known for | Cleft palate reconstructive surgery, paediatric nutrition |
Background and education
editNajjuka was the first of 25 children born to Eli Canaan Sserwanga, a land surveyor, and Maria Hellena Namazzi, a teacher and one of the founders of Uganda Martyrs Secondary School Namugongo.[1]
In 1970, Najjuka joined the Little Sisters of St. Francis, Nkokonjeru Convent, and on 21 December 1975, she professed to be a nun.[1] Continuing with her studies, she sat for O Level exams in 1980 at Saint Joseph’s Girls School, Nsambya and later joined Mount Saint Mary's College, Namagunga for her A Levels.[1]
Upon graduating from Makerere University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Najjuka became the first African Roman Catholic nun to become a surgeon in East and Central Africa.[1] She offered her internship at Rubaga hospital.[1]
She also trained at the Sri Ramachandra College in India in 1996 and specialised in plastic and reconstructive surgery.[2] From Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Najjuka has a Master in Health Service Management.[2]
Career
editMedical
editHaving offered internship at Rubaga Hospital, Najjuka served as the Medical Superintendent of St. Francis Hospital Nkokonjeru.[1] She was there for seven years after which she left to go back to school. She then worked in civil service at Rubaga Hospital, and later as a Medical Officer at Tororo Hospital.[1] She was transferred to Nsambya Hospital as a general surgeon then Head of its Surgery Department.[2] She also served as a plastic surgeon and Head of Department (Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery) at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.[1]
Professionally, Najjuka is a member of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda and has been recognised so.[2] She is also a "Fellow of the College of Surgeons, East Central and Southern Africa"[3] and a "Fellow of the International College of Surgeons".[2]
Retirement
editIn 2007, Najjuka became a partner with a non-governmental organisation, Smile Train.[4]
The organisation's website reports that as of 2022, she is currently the "Head of Surgical Centre Smile Train Mbarara (SCSTM) at the Good Samaritan Village Helpers Centre in Uganda".[4] Under the organisation, Najjuka performs cleft surgeries as well as "providing nutritional support to babies who are too underweight to receive cleft surgery safely".[4]
Other
editNajjuka occasionally presents on a local radio station, Radio Sapientia, on health-related matters and is a Rotarian.[2]
Publications
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Nakamya, Culton Scovia (6 April 2021). "Sister Dr Najjuka broke all glass ceilings to become plastic surgeon". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "ASSOCIATION OF SURGEONS OF UGANDA. Celebrating Women Surgeons in Uganda. International Women s Day PDF Free Download". docplayer.net. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ "Members & Fellows Directory – COSECSA". Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ a b c "Sister Dr. Liliana Najjuka: Miracle Worker, Smile Maker". Smile Train. 15 March 2022.