Kenyan Doctor in Canada Goes Viral for Free Surgery Mission Back Home, Sparking Diaspora Pride

Country: Canada
Date Published: December 11, 2025

NAIROBI/TORONTO – A Kenyan doctor based in Toronto has captured the hearts of the Kenyan diaspora and locals alike after a viral X thread detailed her selfless mission to perform free surgeries in rural Kenya, amassing over 50,000 likes and retweets in under 48 hours. Dr. Amina Hassan, a 38-year-old surgeon who has lived in Canada for over a decade, shared footage and patient stories from her two-week medical camp in Kitui County, where she and a team of volunteers operated on more than 100 patients suffering from cataracts, hernias, and other treatable conditions.

The story exploded on X starting December 11, when influencer @KenyansAbroadKE posted a thread stitching Hassan's own updates, writing, "Shoutout to Dr. Amina Hassan from Toronto turning her skills into hope for Kenyans back home! No fees, just pure service. This is diaspora done right 🇨🇦❤️🇰🇪 #KenyansInCanada." Verified news account @CitizenTVKE amplified it with a clip of Hassan speaking to patients in Swahili, garnering comments like "Proud of our own!" from users across the globe. Regular users shared personal stories, with one @DiasporaDocKenya noting, "As a fellow Kenyan medic in Canada, this inspires me to do more. God bless Dr. Amina!"

Hassan's initiative comes amid heightened discussions on X about the role of Kenyans abroad in national development, especially during the holiday season when remittances peak. In her posts, she revealed funding the trip through personal savings and crowdfunding from fellow diaspora members, raising CAD 25,000 in days. "Canada gave me opportunities; now I'm giving back," she captioned a video of a grandmother regaining her sight post-surgery. The thread also highlighted challenges, like logistical hurdles and skepticism from some locals, but positivity dominated, with #DrAminaMission trending briefly in Kenya.

Critics on X were few but vocal, questioning sustainability—"Great one-off, but what about systemic healthcare?" tweeted @HealthActivistKE—yet the overwhelming response was celebratory. Accounts like @StandardKenya and @NTVKenya reposted, boosting visibility. As Kenyans abroad prepare for Christmas, Hassan's story underscores a growing trend of "reverse remittances" through skills and time, fueling debates on how the 3-million-strong diaspora can amplify impact beyond cash transfers. Dr. Hassan told followers she plans annual camps, inviting more volunteers from Europe and the US.