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Professional Differentiation for the Oncology Workforce Symposium
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The Kenya Society for Haematology and Oncology (KESHO) partnered with the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and the Ministry of Health, Kenya, and the Aga Khan University, to host the 1st Professional Differentiation for the Oncology Workforce Symposium aimed at developing a skilled and well trained oncology workforce who can provide quality care and services across the cancer continuum from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
The event brought together specialists, program directors, policymakers, universities, and all facilities that provide training for all cadres providing oncology services across the country and in the region to define the scope of practice, core competencies and entrustable professional activities for all oncology and allied services care providers in the country.
Dr Verna Vanderpuye
Dr Verna is a senior Clinical Oncology Consultant at the National Center for Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
She has mentored many regional and international young cancer professionals throughout their training, young- and middle-level career phases.
Dr. Festus Njuguna
Dr. Njuguna is a Lecturer at Moi University, School of medicine, Department of child Health and
Paediatrics: he is also the Head of Paediatric haemato-oncology unit at Moi Teaching and Referral
Hospital. He attained his bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Moi University and a Master’s degree in Medicine (Paediatrics) from the same institution.
Dr. Njuguna has several publications in peer reviewed journals.
Fredrick Asige
Mr. Fredrick Asige is the Manager at the at The Nairobi Hospital, Oncology department since 2015 to date.
He attained his MPH from Suffolk University UK, BSc. in Health Systems Management at Kenya Methodist University and Diploma in Radiation Therapy at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. He also holds Diploma in Imaging sciences and Higher Diploma in Ultrasonography at the Kenya Medical Training college. He received his certificate training in Leadership and Management in Health, Project Management and Epidemiology at the University of Washington.
Before joining The Nairobi Hospital, he worked at The Aga Khan University Hospital Radiology department from as a radiographer from 2005-2008 then moved to pioneer its Radiotherapy department in 2011 after completing his training in Karachi. He thereafter moved to The Nairobi Hospital and was instrumental in establishing the state of the art Cancer Treatment Centre in 2012.
Mr. Fredrick Asige has been involved in various key policy issues pertinent to Cancer management both at private and public level through advisory, collaboration and partnerships between the private and public sectors in realizing Public Private Partnerships (PPP). He has been advocating through NHIF for access and coverage of patients seeking radiotherapy services to be cushioned from out-of-pocket payment.
Prof. Fredrick Chite Asirwa
Prof. Fredrick Chite Asirwa M.D. is the CEO of International Cancer Institute, an organization whose main purpose is to expand Education, Clinical Care and Training opportunities in cancer control and research across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through multi-sectoral collaborations and partnerships with relevant organizations both governmental and NGOs.
e is a Medical Oncologist & Hematologist, PD/PI of several access to personalized cancer care and research initiatives including Blueprint Program (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda), Shining Tower Program, Clinical Trials Program-all geared towards enhancing early detection, promoting primary HPV screening, providing SOC diagnostics & therapeutics cancer research. He has developed several training programs including SSA Oncology Preceptorship training, Digital Pathology Program, Telemedicine Program, Oncology training for Physician assistants (Clinical Officers), development of Oncology Nursing training program in Kenya, Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, Oncology Pharmacy program and assisted in the development of gynecologic oncology program. He also conducts Oncology and Hematology Clinical Trials in SSA.
He was previously (2011-2019), the Director of Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care (AMPATH Oncology & Hematology Consortium) in Kenya. In this role he developed infrastructure for telemedicine at AMPATH, created a robust hematology & oncology outreach program in rural Kenya and participated in the development of the Kenya National Cancer Control policies, strategic plans and guidelines by the National MOH. As PI to various clinical and research programs he established Multiple Myeloma program, Lymphoma Program, functional tumor registry, Breast Cancer screening & treatment program, Hemophilia and Sickle cell diagnostics, treatment & research, EMR for Oncology care and screening, a multinational Lung Cancer Control Program, MLCCP (Kenya, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Eswatini). He also teaches at various Universities in SSA and participates in Scientific Review Committees (SRC) of various Oncology Clinical Trial Centers in SSA.
He has also been an active ASCO member through ASCO’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course (MCMC), International Affairs Committee (IAC), Education Council, ASCO‘s Academic Global Oncology Task Force and as a Peer reviewer to ASCO Journals. He is also currently a member of ASCO-ESMO Global Oncology Curriculum committee and a member of ASCO’s board of directors. He has been recognized for his work to increase access to cancer control for the underserved through various awards including the United States’ National Cancer Institute’s Pearline Global Cancer Research Humanitarian Award, 2020; The Children’s Place International ‘s 2018 Hero Award for his pioneering work in treating children and adults with cancers in Kenya. He is the current Interim President of the College of Oncology of East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA-CO) and a senate member for ECSA Health Community. He is also a distinguished Faculty speaker in both local, regional and International professional conferences and events including ASCO, AORTIC, KESHO, Africa Cancer ECHO, APCA amongst others.
e did his Undergraduate training (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) in Kenya and Post-graduate/specialty training (Internal Medicine Residency & Heme/Onc Fellowship) in the United States.
David Makumi
David Makumi is an award winning cancer control advocate and has worked in cancer control at clinical, advocacy and policy level for over 15 years. He was the first recipient of the International Award for Contribution to Cancer Care from the East African Region by Oncology Nursing Society (ONS-USA) in 2011.
David is the vice chair of Non-communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya (NCDAK) and the immediate former Chairman of the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations,(KENCO) the umbrella body of the cancer civil society groups with over 25 cancer patients associations, Community Based organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and patient groups. He is also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Non Communicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya (NCD-AK) and sits on several cancer related boards and technical groups.
He has professional interests in low cost models of access to screening and care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and clinical ethics.
- Medical Oncologists
- Radiation Oncologists
- Clinical and Radiation Oncologists
- Paediatric Oncologists
- Surgical oncologists
- Gynaecological oncologists
- Haematologists
- Clinical trial co-ordinators
- Oncology nurses
- Registrars and fellows specializing in oncology field
- Trainee radiation therapists, medical physicists and oncology nurses
- Medical officers and general practitioners working in the Oncology field
- Radiation therapists
- Medical physicists
- Oncology pharmacists
- Sponsoring companies
- Policy makers