Cambridge-Africa

A Dream Takes Flight

Daisy title

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."- Lao Tzu

My journey into the field of oncology has always been a deeply cherished dream, despite the discouraging circumstances in my home country. Determined to overcome these obstacles, I took a significant step on February 28th, 2024, by applying to the international office of Makerere University College of Health Sciences. This decision, driven by my unwavering passion for oncology, opened the door to a remarkable and transformative experience.

I am incredibly honored to be part of the third cohort of the Cambridge-Africa Makerere University medical student program. This inspiring initiative was born out of a visit by Corinna Alberg from Cambridge-Africa and Maike De La Roche from CRUK CI to the Uganda Cancer Institute. Dr Jackson Orem, the Director of the Ugandan Cancer Institute, highlighted the pressing need for more oncologists in the face of a high patient-to-doctor ratio and recognized that many medical students were reluctant to pursue this specialty. In response, Corinna and Maike created an innovative exchange program aimed at igniting a passion for oncology among Ugandan medical students. I was thrilled to be selected as one of the two students chosen for this esteemed program, having demonstrated my dedication and met the program’s rigorous requirements. The second  cohort had already set an impressive example with their journey last summer.

My adventure commenced on Friday, June 21st, 2024, as I departed from Entebbe International Airport at 5:30 PM on Qatar Airways. I arrived at Gatwick Airport early the next morning, at 6 AM, ready to embark on this new chapter.

Upon reaching Cambridge, I boarded a direct train and admired the picturesque English countryside with its lush green meadows. In this charming city, I received my welcome package from the treatment center, meticulously prepared by Ms. Cassandra Mura. This package included all the essentials for our placement, including NHS cards for access to Addenbrookes Hospital. Our supervisor, Dr. Martin Besser, then provided us with a comprehensive tour of the facility and introduced us to the hematology team. Our placement was organized into six weeks, with the first three weeks dedicated to hematology and the remaining three focusing on oncology.

A Blend of Learning and Discovery

Hematology and Oncology: A Deep Dive

The doctors we worked with were incredibly kind, patient-focused, and reassuring. Throughout my placement, I was exposed to cutting-edge technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment. I marveled at the accuracy and speed of radiological and laboratory test results, the use of targeted therapies, and the extensive application of immunotherapies in oncology. I also had the opportunity to observe numerous ongoing clinical trials and research efforts, including those at the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI). Innovations such as the use of dry blood smears for early cancer detection promise a future where many deadly cancers could be treated more effectively. Additionally, treatments like bone marrow transplants and apheresis significantly contribute to patient recovery. The Epic system, a sophisticated electronic record-keeping tool, securely maintained patients' information, accessible only to authorized personnel. One particularly memorable experience was attending a simulation competition at the Royal Papworth, where I observed doctors using a voice recognition device to take notes simply by speaking, which were then transcribed and displayed.

 

Cambridge and Beyond: Fun and Exploration

Cambridge isn’t just about academics; it's also about fun and exploration! We visited the Fitzwilliam Museum and admired the Corpus Clock. One weekend, we took a bus to London and visited Buckingham Palace, where we witnessed the changing of the guard. We also saw Big Ben, rode the London Eye, and went punting on the River Cam. The most memorable trip, however, was our visit to Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk along the North Sea coastline, and this was fully sponsored by Ms. Corinna Alberg, our mother at Cambridge.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You

I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Martin Besser and the consultants, including Dr. Will Thomas, for their invaluable teaching and support throughout my placement.

A huge thank you to Ms. Susan Nassaka of Makerere University's foreign office and Ms. Corinna Alberg of the Cambridge-Africa program for their tremendous assistance and support in making this placement a success.

I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Cambridge-Africa Program for their generous funding of this placement, which covered the flight, visa fees, accommodation, health insurance, and living stipend. I hope this collaboration continues to flourish and offer life-changing opportunities to more students.

Looking Forward: Bringing Hope Home

This experience has not only deepened my passion for oncology but also reinforced my commitment to advancing cancer care. I am eager to return to Uganda and apply the invaluable knowledge and skills I have gained. My goal is to contribute to the improvement of oncology services and patient care in Uganda. By sharing the advanced techniques and practices I learned at Cambridge, I hope to inspire and educate future medical professionals in my home country. With the support of global partnerships and continued innovation, I am confident that we can bring hope and healing to many more patients in Uganda and beyond.

Together, we can accelerate progress in cancer treatment and move closer to a future where cancer is no longer a formidable barrier to life.