Scholarship / Commonwealth Scholarships in the United Kingdom - Benefits to home country essay [7]

Cancer Research - I cannot look any further

A country deprived of oncologists and whose scope in cancer research and study from its drug compendium is bare and bereft of innovative designs of tackling cancer undeniably should take heed of World Cancer Day 2016 call by Mr Ban Ki-Moon - "We must do more to end the many tragedies that cancer inflicts."

Cancer lately has been a burden in need of imperative attention if the nation hopes to achieve its Cancer free Zimbabwe 'mantra'. Some of the ways I propose so Zimbabwe can solve many of the cancer tragedies is by emphasizing on preventative measures, early diagnosis and treatment as well as palliative care for advanced cancer patients. To actualize that, a cancer policy backed by a fully functional referral system with adequate qualified personnel is a requisite.

This is the rationale behind my pursuit of Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in XXX at University xxx so as to amass essential transferable knowledge and skills to be a pioneer in expanding the scope of the cancer field. Zimbabwean government faces tremendous pressures among: infrastructure development, power generation, employment creation and enactment of economic growth policies hence cancer has remained low on the agenda. Thence this scholarship affords me opportunity to be a development catalyst involved in advancement of processes we use including standard treatment guidelines in hospitals and broader cancer policies in the country.

Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have; furthermore enhanced patient access to health is one of DFID list of priorities for a stable and prosperous Zimbabwe. Thus on conclusion, I hope to have mastered skills of current cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment as well as improving cancer practice processes to aid in thorough research and evaluation of available information and evidence so as to give patients evidence-based therapy, essential for improving patient outcomes and experiences. Evidence-based therapy results in more rational prescribing, lower costs and improved patient use which culminates to reduced healthcare costs with improved benefits. In a country where over sixty per cent households live below poverty datum line and over eleven per cent are unemployed, the saved money from reduced healthcare costs can be injected into other economy sectors in addition to improved employment opportunities in research and therapy all which improve standard of living.

Post award, the CSC can track my work by contacting me and my impact towards development can be assessed by analysing national cancer prevalence and incidence rates as well as cost-benefit ratios of prevention strategies and therapies I will propose. Furthermore most of my work will be in collaboration with government responsible departments and other institutions like Medical Universities, which all can willingly avail information about my contribution to the cancer field.

As I aspire to add my perspective to policy decisions resulting in ending many tragedies inflicted by cancer and attain a cancer free Zimbabwe, I cannot look any further than Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in XXX at University of XXX.

Can you help me out with additions, subtractions and corrections