Aims to enhance pediatric hematology and oncology care in Kenya through advocacy, specialized centers, and education – Dr. Rose Munge

The past two years, I have been undertaking a fellowship in Paediatric Haematology and Oncology in Kampala, Uganda.
The program was based at Makerere University/Mulago National Referral Hospital, in collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital/ Baylor College of Medicine under the Global HOPE program (Haematology/Oncology Pediatric Excellence)
With my fellow colleagues (Joseph, Cathy, Jenny), we dove deep into the the world of ‘Haem/Onc’, with exposure to a wide variety of cases that challenged our thinking and encouraged learning. It was busy, it was hands-on.
We had excellent mentorship and support. The staff at the unit are amazing human beings dedicated to service. We celebrated wins together, and we cried together.
I got to meet giants in the field of paediatric haematology and oncology. The people who wrote entire chapters in the textbooks that we used, the people who were authorities, people whose work we quote and reference. It was so inspiring.
I got to see the impact that Global HOPE has, training healthcare workers (nurses, doctors, pharmacists), and subsequently the impact that has on the outcomes of children diagnosed with cancer. The graduates of the program are already making tremendous changes in their respective countries of origin.
There is a lot of work to be done in the world of paediatric haematology and oncology in Africa, in my home – Kenya. We’ve barely scratched the surface. It is also very clear that it is work that can not be done alone – one person can only do so much. I look forward to seeing change, I look forward to Africa catching up to the rest of the world when it comes to innovations, treatment, and outcomes in oncology and haematology.
But for now, I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge this journey thus far, and I’m looking forward to the next phase.

Source: Dr. Rose Munge/LinkedIn