Dr Miriam Mutebi, an assistant professor in surgery at AKU Medical College, East Africa has been elected to lead the largest and most influential continental organisation involved in the promotion of cancer care and control.
Dr Mutebi, consultant breast surgical oncologist, at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is the president-elect of the African Organization for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC). She will serve a four-year term, two as president-elect and the rest as the President.
AORTIC is a pan-African, multi-disciplinary organisation that builds capacity for cancer advocacy, research, and training in Africa.
Commenting on her election, Dr Mutebi said, “I am deeply honoured to be elected by fellow oncology healthcare workers from across Africa, to lead the advocacy and research work on cancer. It is a wonderful time for cancer control in Africa! Through AORTIC and other initiatives, we now have a dedicated, enthusiastic, continental workforce along the entire cancer continuum. I intend to help us leverage our collective strengths and connections to innovate and develop collaborative, region-appropriate, evidence-based, data-driven solutions that help us improve journeys for cancer patients in Africa and to address current gaps."
This election adds to many other appointments for Dr Mutebi in recognition of her work in cancer care and research. Earlier this year, she was appointed by Kenya's health secretary to co-chair a government task force tasked to design an effective cancer management structure in the country.
She also serves as the president of the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO), the chair of the Commonwealth Task force for the elimination of Cervical Cancer and sits on the board of directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) where she represents Africa.
Dr Mutebi is an alumna of AKU and was the first female breast surgeon in Kenya. Throughout her career, she has been involved in extensive research geared towards improving the management and treatment of breast cancer patients.
