Council Members

She was appointed Lecturer I in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Lagos in 1994 and has been active in teaching, research, and service delivery since then. She has over 120 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. Most of these publications are on cervical cancer prevention and treatment, her main area of interest. She also has written chapters on gynaecological cancers in textbooks for medical students. Professor Rose Anorlu has presented many papers at many international and local conferences. She has supervised to date 35 dissertations for fellowship examinations of the Nigeria Postgraduate Medical College and West African College of Surgeons. She is an examiner for these two colleges. She has been an external examiner in obstetrics and gynaecology in medical schools in and outside Nigeria. She has trained and mentored more than 2000 medical students and resident doctors. She is a member of the Senate of the University of Lagos.

She was the President of, the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) (2021-2023) and a member AORTIC Council 2023-2025. She was Vice-President AORTIC, Western Africa Region (2007-2009). She is a member of the Women’s Cancers Committee of the International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (2021-2023) and (2023-2025). She was a member of the Steering Committee of the Annual Symposium for Global Cancer Research (2023). She was a Council Member (2010-2014) of the International Gynaecological Cancer Society (IGCS) representing Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. A member of the Nigeria Cancer Control Plan Implementing Committee and Nigeria Cancer Control Technical Working Group.
Professor Anorlu has in the past conducted workshops in cervical cancer prevention for doctors, nurses, and midwives across Nigeria. She trained healthcare workers in the Society for Family Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, and Marie Stopes, Nigeria April 2013 to August 2013. These three groups have since incorporated cervical cancer screening into family planning services
In collaboration with University College London Margaret Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health (2006-2010), she helped in setting up a cervical cancer prevention centre in St Kizito Primary Health Centre, Lekki, Lagos.
Professor Anorlu has trained many consultant gynaecologists who specialize in treating gynaecological cancers across Nigeria. She is the local supervisor of fellows of the IGCS Global Curriculum Mentorship and Training Program at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Secretary Treasurer: Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan

Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan is a clinical and radiation oncologist and clinical investigator in Radiation and Clinical Oncology at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. Dr. Lasebikan completed her medical degree at University of Nigeria Nsukka and went on to pursue her residency at University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria and is rounding up her Masters programme in Clinical epidemiology at the Instituite of Public Health University of Nigeria Nsukka. She is a fellow of the National Postgraduate medical college of Nigeria and an associate fellow of the West African College of Surgeons. She is the current Director of Oncology at UNTH and Chair of the African Cancer and Research ECHO. Dr Lasebikan is the National President of ARCON- Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of Nigeria, a member of AORTIC Research Committee and the Co-chair for AORTIC Implementation science special interest group . In the course of her career, she has performed high level clinical and research activities and is currently the National coordinator of a tripartite collaborative effort of research mentoring for Nigerian residents in clinical and radiation oncology. She is a recipient of numerous awards and scholarships amongst which is the African Cancer Leadership Institute by AORTIC and is an IAEA fellow. Her research focus is on female malignancies- breast/cervical cancer, GI malignancies, implementation science, health systems strengthening and global oncology.

Secretary General: Dr Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey

Manjuh Florence, holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Sciences from the University of Buea, Cameroon, has worked with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) for 15 years. She serves as the supervisor for the Women’s Health Program (WHP). The WHP is one of Cameroon’s most prominent cervical cancer screening/prevention programs and does breast cancer early detection simultaneously for all women seen for cervical cancer screening. She is a 2019/2020 Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Young Leader and a 2019 UICC fellow. She is a very passionate nurse who ceaselessly works to see that the capacity of the WHP nurses and others working in cancer care in her community is updated. She is the focal point for the Project ECHO cervical cancer Cameroon project and the Vice President for the Africa Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) for the Central Africa subregion. She desires to lead teams to eliminate cervical cancer through vaccination and screening, raise awareness of breast and other cancers, and for women to take action for cancer detection to reduce this tremendous burden of breast and cervical cancer in Cameroon. Her research interests are in Public Health Research, where she hopes to use evidence-based research to improve the quality of life for many in her community, Cameroon, Central Africa Region and Africa at large and advocacy.

Vice-President: North Africa:  Nahla Gafer

I have been a committed clinician to improving cancer care, particularly for patients from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I earned my MD in clinical oncology in Africa and I have dedicated 14 years to oncology at a cancer center, with the majority of cases seen, being of breast cancer.
In 2009, I attended the Initiators Course at Hospice Africa Uganda, then started a palliative care clinic mid-2010. This unit has since expanded to provide inpatient consultation (2011), and home care (2022), having served over 6,000 patients, offering them holistic care. I played a pivotal role in growing the palliative care team, formed of medical officers, nurses, psychologists, and volunteers. In 2021, training in palliative care became obligatory to oncology residents.
I played a crucial role in establishing palliative care services in other parts of the region, offering training and support to professionals through workshops in Kuwait, face-to-face trainings in Mauritania, and on-line education in Gaza. I earned some prestigious awards, including the IDEA PC grant from ASCO (2014) and the title of “Visionary in Palliative Care” from AAHPM (2018).
My research interests revolve around the early integration of palliative care into oncology, title of my current PhD studies at King’s College London. I have contributed to several publications with MECC, ASCO’s palliative care expert panel, and the African palliative care research network.
I believe that through capacity building in both service delivery and research, a lot can be done, especially in changing policies and improving services, hopefully affecting cancer care in Africa.

Vice-President: Central Africa: Calvin Ngalla

I have been working in a breast and cervical cancer screening program (Women’s Health Program) in Cameroon for over eight years now during which I have developed skills in screening and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix. This program is the largest cervical cancer prevention program in the Central African Subregion. However, it has screened only one hundred and thirty thousand women to date, despite the 8.01 million at risk of cervical cancer in Cameroon due to resource constraints. Other skills I have learned through this program include the management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), infertility management, family planning services, Fine Needle Aspiration(FNA), cryotherapy, thermal ablation, punch biopsies( cervix, vagina, vulvar endometrium), and Tru-cut Biopsy. Due to my passion and commitment to this program, I was appointed in January 2022 as the Assistant Supervisor to further expand my leadership and advocacy role through this program. My research interest is preinvasive lower genital tract diseases (cervix, vulvar, vagina, and anus) in the HIV population, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, and breast cancer (prevention and diagnosis). I did my first AORTIC presentation in April 2023 on single-dose HPV vaccination in boys and girls aged 9-14 years in Cameroon. I have featured in more than 10 scientific publications on these research interests. In October 2022, I backed home with a Master of Oncology degree from Newcastle University after successfully defending the first study on cervical cancer clinical outcomes conducted in Cameroon. I currently have at least 5 manuscripts on my research interests pending publication.

Vice-President: East Africa: Dr Sitna Mwanzi

I am a health expert with over a decade of experience in the field of cancer care and research making a significant impact on lives of cancer patients in Kenya and the region.
I am currently serving as a consultant medical oncologist at the renowned Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), which houses the largest tertiary public comprehensive cancer center in Kenya, providing expert care with an average of 800 cancer patient visits each week. With a special focus on solid malignancies, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of unknown primary, I work in the whole spectrum of cancer care, spanning from cancer awareness and screening to diagnosis, staging, and treatment. My expertise extends to the use of cutting-edge targeted treatments and immunotherapy, as well as supportive and palliative care.
I am also a health policy expert contributing to the development of policies and guidelines aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer patients in Kenya and the surrounding region. I have previously served as the President of the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and currently a member of the Sub Saharan Regional Council of ASCO and the technical working group of the National Cancer Control Program in Kenya.
In addition to my clinical and policy work, I am deeply committed to the education and training of the next generation of physicians and oncologists in the region. I am actively involved in clinical trials and research projects, serving as the principal investigator for breast cancer trials at UNITID, the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, which houses the first oncology clinical trial site at a public institution in Kenya.
I am a strong advocate for expanding access to clinical trials and promoting awareness, education, and implementable research to advance the field of oncology in Africa through a holistic and multi-faceted approach.

Vice-President: West Africa: Professor Olusegun Isaac Alatise

Prof. Olusegun Isaac Alatise has been a Professor of Surgery at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University and a Consultant, General Surgeon, at the Teaching Hospital. His area of interest is in Surgical Oncology and Gastroenterology. He had his Surgical Oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA. He has also had other training fellowships in Endoscopy and Colorectal Surgery sponsored by the World Gastroenterology Organization, African Middle East Association of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, and the International Council of Coloproctology. He has attended many national and international meetings as a resource person, and he is a member of many national and international organizations in his area of interest. He is a leader and a trainer in Oncology and Gastroenterology in Nigeria. He co-chair the AORTIC SIG in Clinical trial.

 

He co-founded the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) in 2013. The group runs a clinical database and biobank for colorectal and breast cancer. He is a member of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery. He is also a Co-PI on multiple prospective studies on colorectal and breast cancer in Nigeria, including a UG3/UH3 NIH grant (awarded in 2017) and R01 as well as Cancer Prevent grant awarded in 2020. His team got the Oak Foundation award in 2021. He has trained over 30 General Surgeons many interested in Surgical Oncology and have taken faculty positions in Nigeria. He has over 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 5 chapters.

Vice-President: Southern Africa: Dr Catherine Mwaba

I completed my undergraduate training in 1997 and attained a medical diploma from the St Petersburg Paediatric Medical Academy. I attained a fellowship in Radiation Oncology from the College of Medicine of Radiation Oncologists of South Africa at the University of Witwatersrand. I am a self-motivated, highly driven individual who provides and advocates for quality and safe radiotherapy services to cancer patients to improve and prolong their lives.

 

Currently, I am a PI on an implementation science project assessing the integration of cancer services among AYAHIV with KS, cervical cancer, and lymphomas. This is an NCI-funded project in collaboration with implenomics, the Population Council of Zambia, and the CDH where the study is being conducted.

I have co-authored several papers but my research strength lies in establishing collaborations which I have demonstrated over time.

A Retrospective study that I did in 2014 was accepted as a Poster presentation at the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society 2014. I worked with colleagues on establishing the Database for Breast Cancer at the Hospital that is currently being used to answer several Research Questions and help formulate questions for further Research in Breast Cancer in Zambia. I have a keen interest in understanding breast cancer in African women as they generally have poor survival. Skin cancer is common in minority groups and I am working with colleagues to develop a project in this cancer type aimed at understanding the epidemiology and patterns of care.

I support emerging oncologists through mentorship on their research projects.

Vice-President: Europe: Julie Torode

I am a board member of the Institute of Cancer Policy, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Community and Patient Engagement and visiting researcher at Kings College London. Research interests span the spectrum of global cancer prevention and control with a particular interest in women’s health and cancer. I gained a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, UK, conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Marburg, Germany and entered the health arena and field of oncology through industry clinical trials work across phases I-IV (2000-2008). Since then, I’ve worked internationally with a policy and advocacy focus working alongside United Nations agencies and government bodies. During more than a decade (2008-2021) at UICC in Geneva, Switzerland I worked with cancer organisations across the globe, including AORTIC, in advocating for the Global Action Plan on NCDs, the palliative care and cancer resolutions and most recently the WHO Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. My cancer research covers cancer systems strengthening, access to cancer medicines, palliative care, radiotherapy and cancer surgery. I am currently a member of the WHO Global Guideline Group for Cervical Cancer and an advisor to Global Breast Cancer Initiative. I am a Trustee of World Child Cancer, with strong African partnerships, and I support a wide network of civil society organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa on a volunteer basis, in particular as a board member of Kilele Health Association, Kenya, Humanity at Heart, Cameroon and advisor to the African Cervical Health Alliance.

Vice-President: North America: Dr Abiola Ibraheem

Dr Abiola Falilat Ibraheem is a medical oncologist at University of Illinois (UIC) dedicated to ensuring Sub-Saharan African countries is a hub for globalized biomarker-driven innovative therapeutic cancer clinical trials. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Global Oncology Program at UIC , where her work is centered on addressing disparities in cancer clinical trials within black communities in the United States and globally. She also holds a pivotal role as a liaison between the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the newly established Sub-Saharan African Council. In addition, she is the chair of the diversity committee at Eli Lilly where her work is centered on ensuring representation of under-represented minorities in breast cancer trials.
Dr. Ibraheem began her career in Nigeria, where she received her medical education and worked for almost a decade as a medical officer in all the healthcare tiers within the country. Her invaluable experience in her home country laid the groundwork for her international journey. Her internal medicine residency training was at Morehouse School of Medicine and at University of Chicago she trained as a medical oncologist and medical ethicist. She underwent an abbreviated physician program at Abbvie pharmaceuticals where she had first-hand experience on globalization of cancer clinical trials from Big Pharma and CROs perspective. She is a past recipient of the African Cancer Leadership Institute (ACLI) and has been involved in multiple programs centered on clinical trial training of African investigators. She is currently an investigator on multiple ongoing globalized breast cancer trials.

Vice-President: Nursing: Beatrice Ohaeri

Beatrice Ohaeri holds a doctorate degree in Nursing (Medical-Surgical) and has 11 years of hospital based practice and 26 years of teaching experience at local and international level. Currently, a Reader and the Acting Head of Department of Nursing , University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her research interest is Psycho-oncology and Women’s health.

 

Cancer is a global health problem that requires total nursing care. Her studies assessed the needs of cancer clients, especially women living with breast cancer, in urban and suburban regions of Nigeria. Clients were filled with psychosocial concerns that affected their acceptance, adjustment and coping with the diseases and generated psychic distress. Gaps were identified on the amount and quality of information given by health workers, which translated into more emphasis on incorporating psychosocial site specific skills into the main stream of care. With the increase in the incidence of prostate cancer globally, especially among men of black descent, papers, she has investigated their knowledge and attitude towards the ailment and its management. The studies revealed poor knowledge, attitude and low perception of self-vulnerability, which calls for more attention, awareness from stake holders. The importance of early screening measures on reduction of female gynaecological conditions cannot be overemphasized. The climax of her work in psycho-oncology, was demonstrated as she engaged in initiating and developing a psycho-oncology unit attached to the famous cancer hospital.

She has mentored undergraduate and post graduate students in research activities related to Psycho-oncology and women’s health.

Vice-President: PALOP: Paulo Salamanca

Dr. Paulo Salamanca was born in Luanda, Angola and is a passionate Medical Oncologist, moved by good practice standards, evidence-based approaches, but also compassion and care.

 

He concluded his Medical Degree in 2008, in Coimbra, Portugal, and after that he pursued his specialist training in the largest comprehensive cancer center in the country, the Oncology Portuguese Institute in Porto (IPO-Porto). There, he was a co-investigator in multiple international phase II/III clinical trials and some of them supported the use of drugs that are currently standard of care. One of those trials was the CHECKMATE trial that led to the approval of immunotherapy in melanoma. This gave him experience in the field, and made him recognize clinical research as one of the main opportunities to move Oncology forward, while allowing patients to access innovation.

During his residency, he had the opportunity to do a short-term rotation in Breast and Gynecologic Cancers, at the Vall D’Hebron University Hospital, a renowned European organization in Barcelona, Spain, and to do a post-graduation in Pain Medicine, at the University of Porto. Dr. Salamanca concluded his residency in 2016 and was approved in the ESMO examination, in the same year.

After finishing his residency, Dr. Salamanca decided to return to his hometown, Luanda, and investing in making good use of the knowledge and experience gained and in actively contributing to the improvement of the lives of cancer patients in Angola. Currently, he is a Medical Oncologist at the Angolan Cancer Control Institute – IACC (Instituto Angolano de Controle do Cancer) . He is also the President of the College of Medical Oncology, part of the National Angolan Medical Society. He is highly committed with the improvement of Oncology services across the country, advocating for quality-assurance and equity in their access.

Dr. Salamanca is a dedicated and motivated oncologist, striving to uphold good clinical practice while promoting the necessary structural conditions and human resources for participation in national and international multicentric clinical trials. As a consultant, he supports the training of Medical Oncology residents and young oncologists. He actively participates in multiple scientific events and initiatives, and collaborates with different public and private organizations towards the development of Oncology. He is committed in raising awareness and the oncological literacy of the communities by actively working with civil society.

Recently, Dr. Salamanca published a paper article entitled “Oncology in PALOP: a growing challenge”, 2023, at the Annals of The Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of Lisbon, concluding that cancer is a complex health problem, with multiple dimensions to be tackled. With an increased incidence and multiple barriers and challenges to overcome, cancer requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach, and the involvement of multiple stakeholders, such as civil society, countries’ governments, health sector and scientific community. Only with a joint effort and consolidated commitment will it be possible to face this reality and consistently improve the outcomes for those who live with cancer in the PALOP.