Postpartum Depression Support at Immunisation Visits

Postpartum depression is often overlooked, despite its impact on both mothers and their children.

Routine child immunisation visits under the Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation (KEPI) could also serve as an opportunity to support maternal mental health. The idea was refined into a research proposal requiring ethical and research approvals before engaging mothers at facility level.

I joined the DREAM program because I wanted to explore how ideas can be transformed into practical solutions within real health systems. As a medical student, I became increasingly aware of how postpartum depression is often overlooked, despite its impact on both mothers and their children. I was particularly interested in whether routine child immunization visits under the KEPI program could also serve as an opportunity to support maternal mental health. My goal was to test the feasibility of this idea and learn how innovation can be applied responsibly and sustainably. A significant moment during the DREAM journey was realizing that implementing the project would require ethical and research approvals before engaging mothers at a facility level. While this initially felt like a barrier, it became an important learning experience. I had to refine the project into a research proposal and think more deeply about ethics, consent, and patient protection. This experience shifted my perspective and helped me appreciate that impactful healthcare innovation must be both ethical and evidence-based. Through DREAM, I developed skills in project design, critical thinking, and aligning innovations with existing policies and health programs. I learned the importance of adaptability and being open to feedback, especially when refining ideas based on real-world constraints. The program also reinforced values of patience, accountability, and collaboration, which I believe are essential for any meaningful work in healthcare and public health. The DREAM community played an important role in my growth. Mentorship provided guidance and constructive feedback that strengthened the project, while peer interactions offered diverse perspectives that challenged and enriched my thinking. Being part of a community that valued learning, innovation, and impact made the experience both supportive and motivating. Participating in DREAM has helped me view my journey with greater clarity and confidence. It reinforced my interest in working at the intersection of healthcare, research, and public health innovation, particularly in maternal mental health. Moving forward, I am more intentional about pursuing solutions that are grounded in evidence, aligned with existing systems, and responsive to community needs. DREAM has shown me that sustainable impact is built through thoughtful, well-structured processes.