SPEAKER PROFILE:

Professor Nicholas Othieno-Abinya 

Nicholas Anthony Othieno-Abinya is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Nairobi Hospital Cancer Centre. He was formerly Professor of Medicine at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where he was the director of Medical Oncology Fellowship Program and also the head of Haematology/Oncology at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. In 2009 and 2010 he was Head of Oncology at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.

He holds a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine of the University of Nairobi, completed fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Royal London Hospital (University of London) in 1992, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

His research interests are in malignant haematology and breast cancer, in which he has published widely in peer-reviewed journals. He also has keen interest in molecular oncology. He has also authored  a text book titled Drug Treatment of Haematologic Neoplasms. He has also co-authored cancer booklets, and has written chapters in several books. His latest book titled ‘Shadow in Perpetuity’ by Lambert Publishers was released in December 2019.

Dr. Othieno-Abinya is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and served in its International Affairs Committee from 2010-2012; Africa Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), having been Vice Chair for Eastern Africa and was a long time member of Council; and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). He founded Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), of which he was the first Chair, and is still its Patron. His outstanding academic achievements were profiled in the University of Nairobi magazine,’ Varsity Focus’ of September 2017.

He has received several awards and honours, including the Kenya Breast Health Programme Award in appreciation of contribution to success of the Breast Cancer Survivors’ Conference on 11-14 July 2003; Kenya Breast Health Programme Award in recognition for outstanding contribution to the care of women with breast cancer in Kenya; Best Oral Presentation by Established Scientist Award, 2^ND KASH Conference, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi;  2018 Harvard Global Health Catalyst: Distinguished African Ambassador Award.

Moderator: Dr Njoki Njiraini

Njoki Njiraini is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist based at the Cancer Treatment Centre in The Nairobi Hospital.

She has been key in instituting multidisciplinary meetings, problem oriented research in the department, and streamlining patient care within the oncology clinics in the public and private sector.

Dr Njiraini holds a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi, a Master’s Degree in Radiation Oncology from the University of Cape Town, is a Fellow of the College of Radiation Oncology (FCRO) South Africa and a graduate of the Harvard POETIC Fellowship programme.