IHCRI-Rwanda (Internal Health Cancer and Research Initiative Rwanda) shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Session 3 is a wrap – and what a session it was.
Today, IHCRI-Rwanda (Internal Health Cancer and Research Initiative Rwanda) and The University of Zambia Medical Students’ Association brought together voices that reminded us why this work matters. Not just the science. Not just the statistics. But the people behind every number.
We opened with a journey through the global and regional epidemiology of cancer – and we made a deliberate choice to pause at every figure. Because behind every statistic is a person. A family. A story. A life interrupted. Understanding cancer begins when we stop reading numbers and start seeing human beings.
Our deepest gratitude to our incredible speakers:
Dr. Edith Matsikidze – Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, Zimbabwe – brought her expertise and her heart to this session. Her message was clear: cancer is not the end of life. With early detection, structured treatment, and open communication, cure and remission are possible. She reminded us that fear is often the first barrier to care – and that knowledge is how we dismantle it. Thank you, Dr. Matsikidze, for crossing borders to educate and inspire us.
Dr. Khelia Mahoro – Medical Doctor and Assistant Lecturer, University of Rwanda – challenged us to rethink what palliative care really means. It is not simply about relieving pain. It is a holistic approach to human dignity – addressing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of a person living with serious illness. In her presentation, Dr. Mahoro honored the pioneering work of Dr. Christian Ntizimira and ACREOL Global – the only center in Rwanda dedicated to training healthcare providers in palliative care across the entire country. That acknowledgement was not a footnote. It was a reminder that progress in healthcare is built on the shoulders of those who dared to go first. Thank you, Dr. Mahoro, for bringing this conversation to the center of the room.
And to every attendee who joined us today – from Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and beyond – thank you for showing up. Your presence is your commitment to a healthier Africa. The questions you asked, the engagement you brought, and the conversations you sparked after the session – that is exactly the community IHCRI-Rwanda exists to build.
Cancer survivorship is not just a medical journey. It is a human one. And today proved that when we learn from real stories, share real knowledge, and lead with real compassion – Hope becomes more than a word. It becomes a plan.
We are not done. More sessions ahead. Stay with us.”
Other articles about IHCRI-Rwanda on OncoDaily.
