Miriam Mutebi: A milestone MOU between AORTIC and ESHO

Miriam Mutebi posted on LinkedIn:

“I always enjoy my trips to Addis. Whether it’s the heartwarming hospitality of its people, savoring their spicy Doro Wat with tummy-warming Injera, or the surreal, night drive from Bole Airport. Addis never fails to enchant.

Even better is when, I get to attend an Education and Outreach Summit, which we organized with the African Cancer Leadership Initiative (ACLI), the Africa CDC, and the Ethiopian Society for Hematology and Oncology (ESHO). Hosted by the Network for Oncology Research in Africa (NORA) and the Else Kröner Center for Cancer Care (EKCC), it culminated in the successful exchange of ideas, and the development of promising collaborations, including the signing of a milestone Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AORTIC and ESHO.

My recent Addis trip as President of AORTIC- Africa, which facilitated this MOU, is a testament to our commitment to cancer control, improving the African oncology workforce, and developing strategic advocacy needed to improve patient outcomes.

Why is this MOU so exciting?

As a breast surgeon and part of a multidisciplinary team, I have had the privilege of performing life-saving surgeries in conjunction with key oncology team members, ensuring we not only save lives but successfully conserve breasts, preserving the dignity and self-confidence of patients.

Secondly, as a health systems researcher, I have developed and contributed to research initiatives addressing the growing cancer burden in Africa. Our members’ research and care delivery efforts have been crucial, in assisting us to develop, effective cancer control protocols tailored to our unique African context.

Thirdly – and the reason for my post. One of AORTIC’s goals is to strengthen our convening capacity—to bring together the best minds in oncology across Africa and beyond to ensure the highest standards of cancer care. Our work in convening experts, developing cancer policies, and fostering bidirectional learning with the global medical community underscores this commitment.

The MOU with ESHO, directly supports this goal. It expands our partnership network and collaboration as an oncology workforce, enhancing our support to country-specific cancer societies. It also strengthens our day-to-day work in enhancing patient care, workforce training, and policy development ultimately improving the impact of cancer societies across the 54 regions of Africa.

So Yes! This is truly a significant milestone! Through our regional Vice Presidents (more on them later), we will work to ensure the local footprint of AORTIC is felt in each area.

Tomorrow, I talk about cancer control, and what that looks like, led by AORTIC.”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also the Vice-President of East Africa of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), treasurer for the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.