Meet Dr. Ines Kwawa; Better Breed Cameroon’s Youth of the Month. Dr. Ines Kwawa is a dedicated medical doctor and clinical researcher with a strong passion for advancing healthcare in Cameroon. With over five years of clinical practice and research experience, she has led initiatives in patient education and disease management, notably heading the hypertension and diabetes clinic at her hospital.
With a deep commitment to improving cancer care in Cameroon, Dr. Ines embodies the spirit of innovation, dedication, and impact, qualities that make her a standout choice as Better Breed Cameroon’s Youth of the Month.
We had the opportunity to interview Dr. Ines, on her journey as a Doctor in Cameroon. We hope this conversation empowers and motivates you to become a Better Breed in everything you do.
1. Kindly introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in medicine and research.
I am Ines Kwawa, a servant of God, medical doctor, and passionate cancer researcher. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I would tell my parents that I wanted to help mothers deliver their babies. By God’s grace, they supported my dream, though my interest later shifted from childbirth to disease prevention.
My journey into research began when I joined CRENC (Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy), where I received mentorship for my MD thesis and learned the fundamentals of research. Around the same time, I started volunteering with HERO (Health Education and Research Organization) Cameroon, educating communities on common health issues and prevention. These two experiences shaped my passion for research and public health. Since then, I have had the privilege of securing an early-career research grant and receiving a scholarship to pursue a Master of Public Health at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which honed my skills in epidemiology and biostatistics. Beyond research, I am dedicated to public education, which is why I am launching, Cancer Care with Dr. Ines, a YouTube channel focused on cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection.
2. You’ve been recognized as the BBCam Youth of the Month for your contributions to clinical research, patient education, and advancing cancer care in Cameroon. What drives you to do this work, and what impact do you hope to achieve?
Honestly, this recognition came as a surprise because I didn’t think my work was significant enough to be noticed. But it has made me reflect on why I do what I do. Over the past few years, I have become deeply aware of the gaps in our healthcare system, from a lack of public awareness about common diseases to the absence of reliable data that could guide better healthcare policies.
During my clinical practice, I saw far too many cancer patients arriving at the hospital after months of misdiagnosis and financial, emotional, and physical exhaustion.On a personal level, cancer has affected many of my close family members, which has strengthened my resolve to contribute to cancer research in Cameroon. My Master of Public Health was a turning point—it made me realize that I not only wanted but needed to focus on cancer epidemiology.In the cancer field, data is crucial. It helps us understand risk factors, track disease patterns, and decide where to focus resources. But in Cameroon, we lack this data. That’s why I want to be among the researchers working to fill this gap, providing evidence-based insights that can drive better cancer control strategies in our country.
3. As someone balancing clinical practice, research, and public health advocacy, how do you manage your time effectively to stay consistent in your work?
Ha ha ha, this is a good one! Honestly, I’m still figuring it out.What helps me stay consistent is setting clear weekly goals and using tools like Google Calendar, alarms, and reminders. Whenever I remember an important task, I either do it immediately or schedule it so I don’t forget. I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, ensuring that the most critical work gets done first. Being part of structured research teams and collaborating with like-minded professionals also helps keep me accountable. Most importantly, I remind myself that progress matters more than perfection. I strive for consistency, but I also give myself grace when things don’t go as planned.
4. Research and healthcare advocacy come with challenges, from securing funding to ensuring findings translate into real-world impact. What are some of the major obstacles you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is access to funding for research. Many grants favor experienced researchers with long publication histories, making it difficult for early-career scientists to secure financial support.
Additionally, local funding opportunities are scarce, and external grants often come with restrictions that limit participation. The best way to overcome this is to start early. If you know you want a career in research, don’t stop at your medical thesis, push to publish it. Get involved in research organizations like CRENC, HERO, or similar groups where you can access mentorship and practical research experience.
Building a strong research portfolio early on helps in securing small grants, which eventually lead to larger opportunities. Being in a network of like-minded professionals also opens doors for collaboration and mentorship, both of which are key to succeeding in research.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years in terms of your research and contributions to healthcare in Cameroon?
In five years, I see myself as an oncologist and cancer epidemiologist in Cameroon, working alongside local, African, and international cancer professionals to improve cancer control strategies.I also want to expand my work in public education, growing Cancer Care with Dr. Ines, into a platform that reaches more people and significantly influences cancer awareness across Cameroon and beyond. One of my biggest dreams is to see randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in Cameroon, with results that directly inform national cancer guidelines. I want to be part of the team making this happen. Research should not just be about publications, it should shape policies and improve patient outcomes in real, tangible ways.
6. What does it mean to be a Better Breed in the medical and research field? How can young Cameroonians contribute to improving healthcare and research in the country?
Being a Better Breed means refusing to accept mediocrity and being committed to creating solutions rather than just pointing out problems. It means seeking excellence, working with what you have while striving for more, and always looking for ways to improve yourself.
For young Cameroonians, improving healthcare and research starts with being informed, not just about global health trends but about our own country’s health challenges. We must be proactive in learning, advocating for better healthcare policies, and promoting health literacy in our communities.
Ultimately, change starts with us. If we want a better healthcare system, we have to be willing to put in the work, educate ourselves, collaborate, and push for meaningful reforms.
On the research front, we must become more data-conscious. This means collecting and maintaining high-quality, ethical data, and using it to drive evidence-based decisions.
Interview by Lorraine Shu, On behalf of BBCam.