Overview
The East African Oncology Centre of Excellence (EOCE) at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) Adult Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program (AHO-FTP) is collaborative program between UCI, Makerere College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre (FHCRC) and University of Washington, Seattle-USA. Using an adapted ASCO/ESMO/ASH curriculum guidelines, our Program provides advanced clinical and research training in adult hematology/oncology under the supervision of eminent specialists from our collaborating institutions to qualified health professionals in East Africa and Africa at large. Our curriculum involves 18 months of clinical in-patient and out-patient practice / didactic education and 6 months of scholarship / research training.

Our Program is accredited by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practioners Council (UMDPC) which allows our graduates to be certified by the East Central and southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSCOP).

Mission
As we  address labour market shortages for skilled professionals in hematology and oncology in Africa, the mission of the AHO FTP is to train the next generation of cancer researchers and clinical leaders in the superspeciality of hematology/oncology with following  5 (five) Core Competences:-

1. Clinical management of cancer and blood disorders in adults

2. Communication, professionalism and interpersonal skills

3. Procedural and Technical skills

4. Scientific Principles that underlie adult hematology/oncology

5. Teaching, leadership, Research and Advocacy skills

The AHO-FTP seeks to capitalize on the scientific, clinical, and educational resources available through collaborations within:

• Uganda Cancer Institute /Regional Centres

• Mulago National Referral Hospital

• Makerere College of Health Sciences

• Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS)

• Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)

• Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI)-Tanzania

• Aga-Khan University Hospital (AKUH)-Kenya FHCRC/UW

UCI was the first cancer centre in sub-Saharan Africa established in 1967 as result of collaboration between MOH-Uganda and NCI-USA. It is renowned for the discovery and treatment of Burkitt’s lymphoma, treatment of HCC using single agent Adriamycin among others. UCI emphasizes clinical care, research and training.

Programs within UCI;

• Malignant hematology

• Solid tumor oncology

• Radiation oncology

• Clinical hematology

• Pediatric hematology/oncology

• Gynecologic Oncology

• Surgical Oncology

• Research & Training

• Community oncology

The facilities at the UCI

• Hematology /oncology in-patient service

• Hematology /oncology out-patient service: Tumor specific and MDT

• Clinical & Research Laboratories

• Hematology/oncology Pharmacy service

• Regional Centres

• Pediatric hematology /oncology service

• Research clinic

The UCI has a network of hematology/Oncology Associates (8) and Oncology/Hematology Associates (9). These cadres of physicians articulate the hematology/oncology program.

The AHO-FTP TAC is the supreme decision-making body of the training program on matters of education and implementation. The TAC leadership consists of individuals with the highest level of expertise and achievement in the fields of adult hematology/oncology, graduate medical education, adult clinical operations, and health policy and resource management.

AHO-FTP TAC Members (current):

TAC Functions:

• Internally approve the program curriculum, syllabus and education tools.

• Approve examination format and content.

• Approve trainee enrollment procedures.

• Nominate and appoint the Program Director, and evaluate his / her performance.

• Appraise the curriculum content, relevance, and its delivery.

• Arbitrate on professional or educational issues involving trainees and faculty.

• Full Time Faculty

• Adjunct Faculty

The AHO-FTP Curriculum is 2 track program in Hematology (Track-2) and Oncology (Track-1)

Prospective fellows must make a conscious decision at application point of the track of interest. The curriculum entails 18 months of clinical and didactic training and 6 months of research and continuity clinics.

Clinical Training for AHO Fellows

Permits fellows under faculty mentorship / supervision to participate in intensive in-patient and out-patient experiences.

In Patient Rotations expose the fellow to:-

• Medical oncology and Hematology in-patient service, with a diverse population of patients undergoing both diagnostic and treatment approaches.

• Medical oncology and Hematology Consultative Service, with patients hospitalized in the general medical and surgical wards of MNRH and other hospitals within Kampala / Uganda

Out-patient Rotations:-

Out-patient training hinges around multidisciplinary disease teams or programs. These include:-

• Lymphoma /Leukemia/Myeloma

• Gastro-intestinal cancer

• Genitourinary cancer

• Breast cancer

• Head and Neck cancer

• Lung and Thoracic malignancies

• Neuro-oncology

• Sarcomas

• Transfusion Medicine

• Hematopathology

• Clinical Coagulation / Thrombosis

AHO-FTP offers multiple formal didactic programs to the fellows.  Track specific and intra-track lectures. (Details in the Curriculum-Online)

In addition, fellows have the opportunity to participate in:

• Clinical oncology and hematology ground rounds

• Department of Internal Medicine grand rounds

• Multidisciplinary tumor boards and conferences

• Fellows and attendings also participate in a weekly:

• Fellows case conference series with interactive fellow-driven discussions on the diagnosis and management of specific cases.

• Journal club where fellows are taught to critically review literature

• Writing group to horne skills in the preparation and presentation of abstracts, manuscripts, and grant applications

• Monthly tele-case conferences

• Monthly mentorship conferences

AHO Fellowship Applicant Information

Call for Applications for the fellowship will be advertised annually on the EOCE/UCI website. Applications will only be accepted during the period of call for applications.

How to Apply

The AHO-FTP accepts applications and supporting documents online through the UCI Website –AHO Fellowship portal. Application submissions are accepted beginning in March with a deadline at the end of May. Please refer to the UCI Website for more details.

Materials required for all Applicants

Applicants who are selected to interview will be contacted via email. Interviews will be conducted in June.

To process your application for the AHO-FTP, we require the following:-

1. Completed online application form

2. Certified Primary medical qualification certificate / transcript (Includes exam, qualifications, board scores)

3. Certified Certificate of completion of Masters in Internal Medicine training (Or letter from dean of training institution confirming eligibility for the certificate in Internal Medicine – if degree/certification award is pending but anticipated prior to matriculation into the program).

4. Uganda Dental & Medical Practitioner’s Council license or equivalent from other country

5. A minimum of 3 professional references with supporting reference letters

6. Personal statement including past experiences, career goals, and motivation to specialize in adult hematology & medical oncology.

7. A full current curriculum vitae (CV)

8. Proof of identity e.g. Passport copy, national identification card

9. Electronic professional portrait

Funding

Current Fellows

• Joan Kayaga

• Priscila Namaganda

• Alex Bakenga

Life in Kampala

Contact the Program

Abrahams Omoding, MD

Fellowship Program Director

Phone: +256 772 555 865

Email: omo2009abra@yahoo.co.uk

Uganda Cancer Institute

Upper Mulago Hill Road

P.O BOX 3935, Kampala-Uganda

Charity Kobusingye

Fellowship Program Administrator

Phone: +256 776 867 440

Email: charitykobusingye@gmail.com

Uganda Cancer Institute

Upper Mulago Hill Road

P.O BOX 3935, Kampala-Uganda