Interview: “It’s A Real Honour, Humbling Feeling”

How did you receive the news of your election into the prestigious Royal College of Physicians, London?
The news of my election into the Fellowship came to me directly from the Registrar of the College on April 17, 2023. This followed several months of a detailed scrutiny through the appropriate structures and mechanisms of the Royal College of Physicians, RCP, after my nomination by a member of the College. 
However, the news of the celebration and special recognition by The British High Commissioner to Cameroon, His Excellency Dr. Christian Dennys-McClure on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Yaoundé, was a big surprise to me. I was really honoured to have that special recognition at that level by both by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom and the Royal College of Physicians.

How long did the process take? Did you apply? 
The process took at least 9 months, starting from the nomination by the International Adviser to the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Ngatchu Theodore. It was followed by initial internal reviews by the RCP sometime in 2022. I did not apply. I was nominated by a member of the RCP and the nomination was presented to the RCP Council at the beginning of 2023 for election by this Council. The election took place in March 2023 and I was informed in April 2023. The New Fellows Induction Ceremony will take place in London later this year.

What does it mean to be a member of the Royal College of Physicians? Is it like joining the Hall of Fame for medical practitioners? What difference does the election make to your career and status? 
Indeed, it’s a real honour and a humbling feeling to be recognised by my peers from all over the world and to be counted among a select number of physicians. The RCP is a community of over 40,000 members working in about 30 medical specialties. Some 20 per cent of members are in 80 countries around the globe. 
Election into the College comes as a result of recognition of what a physician is already contributing to the practice of medicine, research and education. I wouldn’t say it is joining a Hall of Fame. Rather, it is the encouraging recognition by colleagues of my contributions to the profession and a call to continue to work hard for the health and wellbeing of our patients.

Is membership for life or for some time only?
As long as one continues to uphold the values of the College, membership is not time-bound. 

As a member of this body, what are you expected to do?
Membership allows one to interact with the rest of the global community and the College proposes a range of activities to help members continue to serve at their very best. Furthermore, as a Fellow, one can now identify potential fellows for recognition and also work to promote excellence in clinical practice.

To your knowledge, have there been Cameroonian members of the Royal College of Physicians, London before now?
Yes, the complete list Cameroonian Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians, UK is: Emeritus Professor MONEKOSSO Gottlieb Lobe (Internal Me...