Miriam Mutebi, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Innovation is changing what is possible in cancer care. Access will determine whether those possibilities become realities.
That idea sat at the heart of our discussions in Addis Ababa last year, where colleagues from across Africa came together for the first in-person Africa Access to Innovation/Best of ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Africa meeting.
What followed were some of the most honest and thought-provoking conversations I’ve had in recent years. We explored what innovation really means in African health systems. Is it only about the latest medicines and technologies? Or is it also about building systems that ensure those innovations reach the people who need them most?
We reflected on the barriers that continue to limit access, from financing and regulation, workforce capacity, diagnostics, infrastructure, and implementation. Most importantly, we asked how Africa can move from being a recipient of innovation to shaping, evaluating, and leading it.
One of the most meaningful outcomes of those discussions was the formation of the AORTIC- Africa Access to Innovation and Technologies Special Interest Group (SIG), which created a platform to continue these conversations and translate ideas into action.
Over the past year, we have continued that work through dialogue, collaboration, and a shared commitment to ensuring that innovation translates into impact for patients across the continent.
Now, we are excited to carry this work forward in Abuja.
I am delighted to be co-chairing this year’s meeting alongside Prof. Isaac Adewole and Dr. Abiola Ibraheem, bringing together leaders, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, industry partners, and advocates committed to improving access to cancer innovations across Africa.
For us, access to innovation is not simply about introducing new technologies. It is about ensuring that scientific advances translate into better outcomes for patients, regardless of geography, income, or circumstance.
Innovation matters.
But access determines impact.
As we gather in Abuja, I hope we can build on the momentum from Addis with fewer presentations, more dialogue, and practical discussions focused on what it will take to improve access to cancer innovations across African health systems.
The future of cancer care in Africa will not be defined by innovation alone. It will be defined by who can access it.
Reflections from Addis Ababa: Link in comments
Register for Abuja: Link in comments.”
Other articles featuring Miriam Mutebi on OncoDaily.