A Day in the Life of an Oncology Pharmacist in Kenya By Amsalu Defersha
Although I am currently based in an academic institution in Kenya, I participate in a weekly oncology ward round session at a teaching hospital. Each visit is both professionally meaningful and emotionally challenging. During these sessions, we encounter patients facing not only the physical burden of cancer but also profound psychological distress. Many patients experience significant trauma related to their diagnosis, and unfortunately, some are unable to access treatment due to financial constraints. This reality is particularly difficult to witness as a healthcare provider.
In many instances, we see cases of late diagnosis, where therapeutic options are limited, and the prognosis is poor. When reviewing patient histories, it becomes evident that a large proportion of patients lack awareness about cancer risk factors and the importance of early screening. Preventive health education remains a major gap. These experiences highlight a concerning trend: cancer appears to be increasingly prevalent in the African setting, a shift from what was observed in the past. As a team, we often reflect on the underlying factors contributing to this rising burden, ranging from lifestyle changes to environmental exposures within a context where resources are limited and access to advanced diagnostic and treatment options is constrained.
Working in oncology pharmacy in such a setting is a constant reminder of the urgent need for improved awareness, early detection strategies, and equitable access to care. Each visit leaves me with more questions than answers. And yet, there is also purpose. In every counselling session, every medication review, every small intervention, there is an opportunity to make a difference; however small it may seem. Being an oncology pharmacist here is not just about medicines; it is about standing at the intersection of science and humanity, doing what we can with what we have.
At the end of the day, I return to my academic role, but the faces, the stories, and the unanswered questions stay with me. They shape how I teach, how I research, and how I see the role of pharmacy in addressing one of the growing health challenges in our setting.