In this week’s Comms Spotlight, we speak with Jedidah Ndirangu, Communications Officer at The Outspan Hospital in Kenya. Through her journey, Jedidah has seen how the right message can make a real difference. In her interview with us, Jedidah shares what it means to communicate in a sensitive sector like healthcare, why listening is just as important as speaking, and the lessons every young professional can take from her journey.
How did you begin your career in Communications?
My journey in communications began during my time on campus when I interned at Standard Group, a leading television station in Kenya. It was there that I truly fell in love with the world of media.
I discovered just how much I thrived in digital communication, the energy, creativity, and real-time engagement sparked something in me. That experience ignited a passion that led me to immediately pursue a Master’s degree in Digital Communication.
Tell us about your role as Communications Officer at The Outspan Hospital.
As the Communications Officer at Outspan Hospital, I work closely with the marketing department to develop and execute strategic communication plans aligned with the hospital’s mission and vision.
My role involves content creation, social media management, and campaign planning, all driven by our goal to build trust, inform, and engage both our internal and external audiences.
Every strategy is crafted with the patient and community in mind, ensuring our messaging reflects our commitment to holistic, quality healthcare.
Can you describe instances where you’ve seen effective communication drive change within the healthcare sector?
At Outspan Hospital, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic communication can influence healthcare outcomes.
For instance, during our cervical cancer awareness campaign, the use of simplified, localised content across digital platforms significantly increased screening turnout, especially among women who previously had little information about the importance of early detection.
Effective communication also played a critical role during the COVID-19 period, helping us manage misinformation while keeping the community informed and calm.
What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you handle it?
Managing social media for a healthcare institution comes with its fair share of tough moments, especially when it comes to negative feedback.
While it can be disheartening, I’ve learned to approach every comment with empathy, professionalism, and understanding. Listening is key. Responding with clarity, honesty, and care often turns a dissatisfied voice into a more understanding one. It’s all part of the responsibility of being a communicator in a sensitive sector like healthcare.
Can you tell us about a project or campaign you particularly enjoyed working on?
One of my favorite campaigns is our annual Thanksgiving Week every August, which marks the anniversary of Outspan Hospital. It’s a time of reflection, celebration, and team spirit.
I love building up the excitement through social media campaigns, staff engagement activities, and storytelling that highlights our growth. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how staff and patients connect with the content and look forward to the activities we’ve planned.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in communications?
Start with passion, it will carry you through every late-night deadline, campaign crunch, or unexpected challenge. Stay curious and open to learning, because communication is ever-evolving.
Whether it’s mastering a new platform or refining your writing voice, invest in growth. Most importantly, listen to your audience, your team, and your intuition. Great communicators don’t just speak well, they listen deeply and respond thoughtfully.
