An International Visitor Discusses his Experience of “Public Health in the U.S.”

By: Alain Mesa | Published: September 30, 2011

Dr. Ditekemena addressing the audience at the American corner. (State Dept. Images)

On September 30th, a Congolese physician, Dr John Ditekemena, spoke at the American Corner of the Protestant University of the Congo (UPC) about his experience as part of an International Visitors Leadership Program, entitled “Public Health in the U.S.” (July 25-August 12, 2011).   His audience was comprised of 35 representatives from the medical profession, the Ministry of Health and civil society.   Ditekemena explained that this program “examined global and domestic initiatives of awareness, prevention and treatment of primarily chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” such as diabetes and high blood pressure.   When asked about the possible impact of his experience on the DRC health system as a whole, he stressed the professional connections that he was able to make.  For Ditekemena, one of the most important ways to “build capacity at home” is to establish “more relationships with public health institutions - not just isolated doctors or researchers.”