Let me introduce myself
So…I started a substack
A good place to start is by telling you a bit about myself. I was born and raised in Cameroon, where I also completed my medical training. Initially, I had the goal of becoming a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. This was motivated by my mother's debilitating chronic neurological disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, which she had suffered from throughout my childhood. Witnessing her struggle with chronic pain inspired me to study medicine.
However, during the clinical years of my medical training, my passion for infectious diseases grew rapidly and eclipsed my earlier interests. I was profoundly impacted by the sight of hospital wards filled with patients in the advanced stages of HIV infection, a time when access to treatment was scarce in Cameroon. Additionally, observing children succumbing to Malaria, a parasitic infection that continues to cause significant devastation mainly in Africa despite being around for centuries, had a profound effect on me.
In fact, my first patient loss was a two-year-old girl who died in my arms due to severe malaria-related anemia. Her memory is forever etched in my mind, serving as a daily reminder of why I chose to specialize in infectious diseases. More importantly, it motivates me to combine my clinical practice and scientific expertise with advocacy to influence policy to better address preventable diseases.
What sets malaria and HIV apart from other infectious diseases is their tendency to track along the fault lines of social determinants of health, disproportionately impacting poor and vulnerable communities. After two decades since embarking on my journey as a physician, I continue to integrate my clinical practice and scientific expertise (I have a PhD in Virology and a Masters Degree in Tropical Medicine and Global Heatlh) with advocacy and communication on infectious diseases, with a particular focus on Africa and marginalized communities globally.
Over the years, I have written a blog on global health and infectious diseases, specifically aimed at a general audience. The blog, which can be found at www.theiddoc.net, serves as a platform for me to share my experiences and insights with people who share my passion for the subject. By raising awareness about the devastating impact of infectious diseases, I hope to inspire more people to take action and join me in advocating for policies that address health disparities and promote health equity.
What kind of community are you looking to build here
Through my writing, I aim to raise awareness and increase consciousness about various aspects of emerging infectious diseases, global health inequities, and advocacy, which can lead to tangible change. I strive to be provocative in my writing and hope to engage an audience who may not always have these issues at the forefront of their consciousness.
My ultimate goal is to inspire action and mobilize individuals and communities to address the challenges posed by infectious diseases and promote health equity. I believe that through communication and education, we can create a world where preventable diseases no longer ravage marginalized communities and where everyone has equal access to health care
Join me on this journey
Fair warning to anyone who subscribes to my substack: I may occasionally get "soap-boxy" (hahaha). However, I hope this reflects the passion I have for the issues that I choose to write about, rather than being off-putting.
In addition to writing about global health and infectious diseases, I may occasionally also share personal perspectives on my journey as a Black African woman in science and medicine. As a "super-minority," I have faced and continue to face unique challenges and obstacles in my career. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire and encourage other underrepresented individuals to pursue their dreams and overcome barriers in their own fields.
Overall, my goal is to spark conversations, challenge assumptions, and inspire action. I hope to create a space where readers can engage in meaningful discussions about the complex issues facing our world today.
Let’s go
So I will stop here for now and leave you with this stunning picture of Mount Fako, located in my hometown in Buea, Cameroon. Be on the look out for more from me in the near future .