Your full name please?
Aggrey Aningu Wakhule
How would you define Medical Physics?
Medical Physics in a layman’s view is that cog that synchronizes clinical and engineering concepts into treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. The Medical Physicist applies physics principles in medicine.
Where do you work?
Kenyatta National Hospital. I am also the interim president of the Kenya Association of Medical Physicists (KAMP).
Tell us about your educational background?
I hold an undergraduate degree in Sciences, majoring in Physics from the University of Nairobi, and a masters degree in Medical Physics from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (UK). I also did my Clinical Residency program at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in UK. I have attended a fellowship program at the Tygerberg Hospital under Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
How did you get to know about Medical Physics?
After my undergraduate studies, I got employed as a Radiation Protection Officer by the Government of Kenya. It was through my line of duty as a Radiation Protection professional that I learned about Medical Physics. Most of the work I did were in hospitals checking radiation safety of Medical equipment. This made me desire to pursue the medical line of thought of the equipment that use radiation in medical applications.
In what way are you involved in medical physics?
Research, Clinical, Academic and Teaching
How long have you been involved in Medical Physics?
5-10 years
What is your main area of Specialisation in Medical Physics?
Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
What do you love about Medical Physics/your job?
The application of physics concepts in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases is quite an interesting area.
What do you think should be the major focus of African medical Physicists or Medical Physics in Africa?
Medical Physicists in Africa need to come together and collaborate in various activities that promote the profession and in knowledge transfer. African countries are at different stages of development in Medical Physics and we need to learn from each other. Most governments in Africa have not embraced Medical Physics as a highly specialized profession that needs to be promoted for the good of the countries’ health system especially in cancer management.
How would you rate the Medical Physics profession in Africa, Do you think significant progress has been made? 1 being the highest point and 5 the lowest
3
What advice would you give aspiring Physicists/Medical Physicists?
Focus on the challenges facing the profession in Africa and come up with realistic solutions.
Additional comments
There is great indication that Medical Physics is growing in Africa but more needs to be done by the governments.