AFRICAN ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN CANCER (AORTIC)

The African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer had its beginning during a lunch break meeting in Seattle, WA, USA, during the 13th International Cancer Congress, September 8-15, 1982. The meeting was at the instance of Dr. James F. Holland of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. A tabled working paper was to form the basis for action until the organisation could be formally inaugurated. A committee was set up comprising of Dr. Victor A. Ngu of the Republic of Cameroon as Protem Chairman, Dr. Toriola F. Solanke of Nigeria as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Chris K.O. Williams of Nigeria as Protem Secretary-General, and Dr. Holland as the Scientific Adviser. The committee was to identify and contact established African doctors and scientists interested in neoplastic diseases and raise funds for the maiden meeting of AORTIC.

The inaugural meeting took place at the Sarakawa Hotel, Lome, Republic of Togo on the 22nd and 23rd of July 1983. Twenty-four doctors from fourteen countries, namely, the People’s Republic of Benin, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sweden, United States of America, and Upper Volta participated at the meeting. Dr. Jan Stjernward, Chief of the Cancer Unit at the World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland, represented the Headquarters of the Organisation while Dr. Charles L.M. Olweny of Uganda and Dr. Papa Toure of Senegal represented the Regional Headquarters in Brazzaville, Congo.

The Need for an International Organisation for Cancer Research in Africa