Miriam Mutebi, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Day 4 at AORTIC2025 reminded us that conferences end, but movements don’t. What we build must live beyond the rooms and applause, it must live in our systems, our societies, and our people.
If Day 3 closed with music, colour, and the generosity of Tunisian culture, Day 4 opened with something quieter but powerful: reflection. The kind that pulls you back to your “why,” not your schedule.
Day 3’s last session hit close to home. Facilitated by myself and Dr Abiola Ibraheem
Access to Innovation: A Question of Justice, Not Technology
Several truths emerged with clarity: Africa has the expertise to map her own future, but progress demands harmonised regulation and coordination; and innovation must rest on ethics, equity, and partnership, not technology alone
In that warmth, a new AORTIC- Africa Special Interest Group (SIG) emerged: Innovations, Access to Innovations and Technologies. A group born from the belief that African patients deserve timely access to the best the world has to offer. And that we (not someone else) MUST build the frameworks that make that possible.
This SIG is designed to:
- Map and monitor access to new therapies and technologies.
- Work closely with regulators, policymakers and industry.
- Support policy harmonisation with the African Medicines Agency.
- Build capacity and knowledge exchange across all regions.
- Ensure African professionals shape global innovation agendas as contributors, not bystanders.
Celebrating Culture, Connection, and New Beginnings
Our annual conference dinner was more than a social event. It was a reminder that AORTIC’s heartbeat is its people; the friendships, the shared purpose, the laughter between colleagues who only see each other every 2 years. Next, a timely, powerful morning spent with AORTIC cancer advocates.
Strengthening Local Societies: Where the Real Work Happens
The day was short, but no less significant. We turned inward to the societies who carry cancer care on their shoulders every day: Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology (ESHO), Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), and many others across the continent; asking how AORTIC can continue to support, stand and amplify their work.
Dr.Sitna Ali Mwanzi beautifully framed the partnerships that make this possible: Policymakers ( IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization, Africa CDC); Clinician networks, AFROG and others; and Supply-chain strengthening (collaborations such as POHER) . Her message: our strength is continental, but our impact is local.
Our closing ceremony, was filled with gratitude and hope as we celebrated a new Council and welcomed President Cesaltina Lorenzoni with pride. Leadership passed on to a new set of hands, but the spirit of AORTIC- Africa remains constant: resilient, collaborative, deeply committed to the people we serve.
Pic 1-2: With our new President and board members 2025/27.”
More posts featuring Miriam Mutebi.
