Dr. Dimingo's Inspiring Journey

Dr. Dimingo's journey to becoming a pediatric surgeon began with a deep love for children and a natural ability to connect with them. It was the urgent shortage of paediatric surgeons in his home country of Gambia that truly fueled his determination. Like many low-income countries, Gambia faces a significant shortage of paediatric surgeons, with potentially only one or two specialists available nationwide (Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery, 2020). "To be honest, I initially wanted to be a teacher," he reflects, "but the need for skilled paediatricians in Gambia redirected my path." His passion for research blossomed under the influence of his mentors and colleagues here at the hospital. “While I’m naturally self-motivated, the support from the team at Kijabe has been incredibly encouraging and has made my journey much more manageable,” he says. In February, Dr. Dimingo was honored as the best presenter at the 2nd PAACS Senior Residents Annual Conference for his groundbreaking research on reducing Nil Per Os (NPO) time for pre-operative children. “Our goal was to safely shorten the fasting period, and this recognition validates our efforts,” he adds. Dr. Dimingo expresses heartfelt gratitude for the award, acknowledging the pivotal roles of Drs. Jason Axt, Matt Kynes, and Alex Mina. “Their contributions were crucial to this success!” he emphasizes. Looking ahead, Dr. Dimingo is excited about his future. “I’ve developed a strong interest in research and plan to continue on this path, especially when I relocate to Gambia, Liberia, or Sierra Leone. There is so much to study and too few people involved in research,” he shares with enthusiasm. We’re immensely proud of his achievements and dedication to pediatric surgery. We wish him continued success, confident that he will continue making significant impact in Kijabe, The Gambia, and beyond! #WeDoResearch #1millionlives