Profile
Prof. Fredrick Chite Asirwa 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.
He is a Medical Oncologist & Hematologist, PD/PI of several access to personalized cancer care and research initiatives including Blueprint Program, 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 and assisted in the development of gynecologic oncology program. He also conducts 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. 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.
He 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.