She is A Beacon of Hope in Cervical Cancer Care.

In the heart of Kiambu County, where rolling hills meet bustling towns and quiet villages, one nurse is transforming the narrative of women’s healthcare - one screening at a time. Martha Wanjiru Mburu, a Registered Nurse, palliative care specialist, mentor, and champion for cervical cancer prevention, has become a living testament to the impact that passion, dedication, and resourcefulness can have on public health.

From Compassion to Action

Martha’s journey in healthcare began like that of many nurses - grounded in service, empathy, and a deep desire to make a difference. Over time, her focus sharpened on a silent but deadly adversary affecting thousands of women across Kenya: cervical cancer. As Kenya continues to grapple with high incidence and late-stage presentations of this largely preventable disease, Martha chose to dedicate herself to education, early detection, treatment, and community outreach.

Her work has been both clinical and community-centred, particularly through the Kiambu County Mobile Clinic Van initiative, where Martha brings essential health services directly to the people - eliminating distance and cost as barriers to care.

Between October and December this year alone, she has traveled to all sub-counties in Kiambu, ensuring that women and even men in remote areas receive screening, education, and life-saving interventions close to home. LinkedIn

“When I see someone who would otherwise have never taken a step to be screened, thank me afterwards that is when I know this work matters,” Martha reflects in a recent conversation with Otieno.

Her commitment goes beyond routine care; she implements thermal ablation treatments, a modern method for treating precancerous cervical lesions at the point of detection, reducing the need for higher-level referral and improving early intervention success rates.

National Recognition for an Unsung Hero

In 2025, Martha received national acclaim as a Cancer Care Champion at the annual Scars to Stars Awards - an honour that celebrates extraordinary empathy, dedication, and results in the fight against cancer in Kenya.

Yet, even amid applause and accolades, Martha remains humble.

“Recognition is wonderful, but the real reward is knowing that a woman got early treatment, that a life was saved because someone cared enough to come here,” she told Catherine Mueni NNAK - Machakos Chair.

Voices from the Frontlines

The impact of Martha’s work resonates not only with patients but with colleagues and community leaders.

“Martha brings not just clinical skill but heart,” says Nurse Gladys, a fellow practitioner in the Kiambu County health system. “She inspires us to think beyond the walls of facilities and bring care to where people really need it.”

From community members, the gratitude is palpable:

“I never understood what cervical cancer was, but Martha explained it in a way that made me feel safe,” shares Alice Mwangi, a resident of Gatundu North. “Because of her, I got screened - and encouraged three friends to do the same.”

Local health leadership has also taken note:

“Martha is the embodiment of preventive healthcare,” says Nurse Benard Mwega, Deputy Director Nursing- Kiambu County. “Her work with the mobile clinic has changed how we reach our communities, bringing cancer screening, education, and hope to every corner of Kiambu.”

A Holistic, Inclusive Approach to Health

Martha’s efforts go beyond cervical cancer. During outreach sessions, she often incorporates education about breast cancer, prostate cancer awareness for men, and broader non-communicable diseases, believing that comprehensive education is key to long-term community health.

Her approach reflects a profound understanding: healthcare isn’t just a service, it’s a relationship. A woman who understands how cervical cancer develops, knows how to prevent it, and feels respected and heard in the process is far more likely to engage in long-term wellness behavior.

Nursing Leadership Shaping Global Health

Advancing WHO’s 90–70–90 Targets Through Nurse-Led Community Action

In Kiambu County, nurse-led work like Martha’s is quietly advancing the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 90–70–90 targets toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.

Through sustained community engagement - especially in churches, marketplaces, and grassroots gatherings - thousands of women have received accurate, practical information on:

• HPV prevention
• Cervical cancer screening
• Early care-seeking and follow-up

This directly strengthens WHO’s demand-creation pillar - making screening normal, accepted, and accessible.

But the work does not stop at awareness.

This initiative has also strengthened secondary prevention, including mentorship of healthcare workers on:

• High-performance cervical cancer screening methods
• Breast cancer early detection
• Safe referral and follow-up pathways

Many women with abnormal findings have been supported all the way through referral, diagnosis, and treatment - reducing delays that often lead to advanced disease. This is exactly what WHO calls the continuum of cancer care.

The impact of this nurse-led model has already been recognised through:

• Beyond Zero Award – Kiambu Sub-County
• A feature in Nursing Stars Magazine

That was highlighting how nurses stand at the centre of achieving global health targets.

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This work has also reached beyond Kenya. Participation in the Uniting for Cervical Cancer Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana, where countries reaffirmed commitment to the WHO elimination strategy, strengthened collaboration around:

• 90% HPV vaccination coverage
• 70% screening coverage using high-performance tests
• 90% treatment of women identified with the disease

As the world moves toward eliminating cervical cancer, this story shows how community-anchored, nurse-led leadership can translate WHO targets into real, life-changing outcomes for women and families.

Challenges and Triumphs

Despite her achievements, the road hasn’t been without hurdles. Martha and her colleagues often face:

• Limited resources for diagnostics and follow-up care
• Deep-rooted myths and fears surrounding cervical cancer screening
• Long distances and transportation barriers that keep rural women from accessing routine clinic services

Still, Martha remains undeterred.

“Barriers are not stop signs; they are invitations for innovation,” she says. “Every woman we screen, every life we touch - that’s progress.”

Looking Forward: Impact Beyond Numbers

Martha’s work has not only saved lives - it has changed mindsets. Through consistent outreach, she has helped normalise preventive screening and stimulated community conversations about women’s health that were once silent.

“I want every woman to know her body is worth protecting,” Martha often says to her teams and trainees. “We are nurses and we are here to protect life with knowledge, care, and compassion.”

Let’s Talk Nursing: A Tribute

At Let’s Talk Nursing, we believe nursing is a unique profession. Martha embodies the very essence of what nursing stands for courage, empathy, resilience, and relentless service to humanity.

“In a world full of challenges, nurses like Martha remind us of the profound impact one dedicated health worker can make,” we reflect. “Her story challenges us to see nursing not as a job, but as a mission to serve, educate, empower, and heal.” - Jephters Olwero MSN, Let's Talk Nursing

Our Thought

Martha Wanjiru Mburu stands as a shining example of what it means to serve with purpose. Her work inspires nurses across Kenya and beyond - proving that with passion, innovation, and heart, one nurse can change the health outcomes of whole communities.