StreetDoctors’ Post

Transcript

My name is Kwaku Duah Asanti, I'm a 26 year old doctor working in London and surrounding areas in Kent and I'm also an Imperial College alumni. So I think what really motivated me to study at Imperial was the reputation that Imperial has. And when I was 16/17/18, I was really heavy on the sciences. I really enjoyed learning molecular biology and chemistry and I think going to an institution like Imperial really kind of drove that inclusivity that I had and developed as a 16 and 17 year old doing my A levels when I was. My second year university, I was quite fortunate to go to Uganda where I worked on a research project looking at the the effect of discontinuation of malaria prophylaxis on HIV incidents and secondary HIV infections. And I think going to Imperial just really equips me over a research mind and always kind of prompted me to ask questions as to why things happen. And I think that really complemented my ability to develop a clinical acumen as well as have a kind of passion for research, which I've I've continued as I've. Going on as a doctor and look to pursue a career in surgery. So as a British born Ghanaian, this new initiative drives a lot of excitement in me. During my second year when I did a research project in Uganda, I really saw the power of collaboration and how that drove change for patients within that particular subset. And I think what this new hub can do is really support students, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and professionals in general who are uniquely placed to be able to provide some of the solutions to intrinsic problems, whether that be problems specific to Ghana, West Africa or the African continent. And I think what Imperial can provide is a real hub of collaboration and innovation with that be through intellectual minds, whether that be via resources and really driving that collaboration so we can really drive change for patients. And people living in the continent.