NCI Hosts Kenya Cancer Care-Focused International Visitor Leadership Program
IVLP participants from Kenya meet with National Cancer Institute acting director, Dr. Doug Lowy.
On December 4-5, NCI hosted a team of ten Kenyan cancer care experts and a Member of Parliament as part of a unique cancer care-focused International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) visit. This visit is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
The IVLP participants advise the Kenyan government on resource allocation, strengthen central and regional cancer centers to serve communities throughout the country, as well as implement cancer surveillance and research. The ten participants have complementary roles and responsibilities to develop and strengthen Kenya’s cancer care system and research enterprise. They are important partners for the U.S. NCI and Embassy Nairobi. Over the years, NCI researchers have worked closely with Kenyan partners in cancer control, surveillance, and research endeavors. Strengthening cooperation between the Kenya and U.S. National Cancer Institutes has been an integral component of the U.S. – Kenya Bilateral Strategic Dialogue since 2022.
The group began their 10-day visit at the NCI/NIH and will travel to visit two NCI-designated cancer centers where they will gain first-hand exposure to world class cancer treatment and research centers, observe the organization, operation, and management of these institutions, and establish relationships with leading U.S. oncology practitioners and researchers for collaborations and/or mentorship beyond the IVLP visit.