Dr Miriam Mutebi appointed to Co-chair National Cancer Task Force

Caption: Dr Miriam Mutebi prepares for a surgical procedure in a theatre at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.

Dr Miriam Mutebi, Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi has been appointed to co-chair a government taskforce tasked to design an effective cancer management structure in Kenya. She will co-chair the taskforce with the Head of the National Cancer Control Program, Dr. Mary Nyangasi. Other members of the taskforce include Dr. Alfred Karagu who is the taskforce secretary, Dr Loise Nyanjau, Mr. Benjamin Inoti & Mr Patrick Mathagu.

“The taskforce is mandated with reviewing the institutional, policy & legal framework for cancer management in the country; assess prevailing health system capacity to deliver effective cancer control, analyse the actors and stakeholders in the cancer eco-system, among other tasks," said a statement posted by the Ministry of Health.

In Kenya cancer is the third leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. According to statistics by Globoscan, Kenya recorded 42,116 new cancer cases in 2020.

She also serves as the chair of the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology, and as a Board of Director in the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) where she represents Africa alongside another representative from Nigeria.

Dr Mutebi, a Clinical Epidemiologist and Health Systems Researcher is the only female Breast Surgeon in Kenya. She has been involved in extensive research geared towards improving the management and treatment of breast cancer patients. In 2019, she pioneered the introduction of, 'Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator' (DIEP) flap in East Africa. DIEP is a breast reconstruction procedure that offers hope to breast cancer survivors. The procedure involves harvesting flesh from a breast cancer patient and making a breast for them especially those who have had mastectomy.