Dr Yehoda Martei, a medical oncologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, is no stranger to both the science and the inequities of cancer care. Having worked extensively across Africa, her research and advocacy focus on one question: how can breakthroughs in cancer therapy reach every patient who needs them — no matter where they live or how much they earn? 

 

A passion for oncology and justice 

“For me, oncology was exciting because of how fast science was advancing,” says Dr Martei. “I could see new therapies — like immunotherapy — transforming lives. But I also felt strongly that we can’t celebrate these successes if only a fraction of the world’s patients benefit.” 

This combination of scientific curiosity and moral conviction drew her into global oncology — a field that bridges clinical evidence with questions of equity, affordability, and access. 

“I didn’t think we could say we’ve succeeded in improving cancer outcomes if poor patients, or those in low- and middle-income countries, can’t access these medicines,” she says. “If treatment depends on income or geography, then the job isn’t done.” 

 

The barriers: affordability, geography, and awareness 

Across much of sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Martei has seen the same challenges repeat: medicines priced out of reach, long travel distances to treatment centers, and gaps in public understanding of cancer and its treatment. 

“Affordability is the biggest barrier,” she notes. “It’s just not feasible for people living on a dollar a day to pay for cancer drugs that cost thousands. The only sustainable solution is to integrate cancer medicines into national health insurance schemes or global funding mechanisms.” 

Even where governments do cover the cost of essential medicines, other obstacles remain. “In Botswana, where I conduct most of my research, some patients often travel a full day to reach a cancer centre. Many lose income because of time off work or struggle to afford transport or childcare. And even when drugs are available, stockouts can interrupt treatment,” she explains. 

Cultural and educational barriers also play a role. “Health literacy matters. Some patients delay care or turn to alternative treatments until the disease is advanced. Awareness and early diagnosis are as critical as the medicines themselves.” 

 

Celebrate the small wins 

Despite the challenges, Dr Martei remains cautiously optimistic, celebrating what she calls the “small wins.” 

“Botswana’s government covers all medicines on its national essential medicines list, which mirrors the WHO’s. That’s a big step — though stockouts still occur,” she says. “And in Rwanda, a public–private partnership between the government and Partners In Health has dramatically improved survival rates by making chemotherapy and targeted medicines available.” 

She believes these examples demonstrate both what’s possible and what’s still needed: “For long-term sustainability, governments must take ownership of financing cancer care. But these stories show progress — and hope.” 

 

The role of the Medicines Patent Pool 

As a participant in MPP’s feasibility study on expanding its mandate to cancer medicines, Dr Martei sees clear potential for impact. 

“Immunotherapies and other novel cancer treatments are here to stay — but at current prices, they’re out of reach for most of the world,” she says. “MPP can be that bridge, just like it was for HIV and hepatitis C. Voluntary licensing, technology transfer, biosimilars — these are tools that can bring prices down and make innovative lifesaving treatments accessible.” 

She adds: “I honestly struggle to imagine another mechanism that could do this at scale. MPP has the track record and credibility to make it happen.” 

 

Looking ahead: research that informs policy 

Dr Martei is equally energised by her research on improving medicine forecasting in African countries — ensuring that health systems know what medicines they need and in what quantities. 

“In many ministries of health, there’s strong expertise in infectious diseases but not in cancer,” she explains. “Our work developed a systematic approach to forecasting chemotherapy needs. That approach is now being used to estimate demand for new therapies like immunotherapy.” 

For her, this represents the next phase of global oncology: turning research into policy, and policy into patient care. “What excites me now is implementation science — figuring out what works in real-world settings so that patients actually get the medicines they need,” she says. 

As the conversation ends, Dr Martei returns to the core message that drives her work: “Innovation matters — but access is the measure of success. Until every patient has a fair chance at treatment, we still have work to do.”