Meet Max Partner Physician – Dr. Johanna Rapanarilala
Introducing Dr. Johanna Rapanarilala from Seychelles! She has worked as an oncologist for more than 20 years and has been a Max partner physician since 2012. Learn more about her below.
Describe a typical work week
From Monday to Friday, I start at 7 a.m. with a review of my daily plan. Followed by ward rounds then my daily outpatient clinic. We will visit the patients on chemotherapy infusion afterwards. By late afternoon, we plan the next day chemotherapy, and the team will inform us about any calls from patients needing attention, mostly for Palliative Care patients. At the end of the day, I will sit with all administrative works (drug requests for any new patients since most of the drugs we need has to be vetted by a board, to be imported if approved, tracking and reviewing results, studying new patients’ cases, and admitting them to the unit’s care).
Every Thursday, we have the tumor board sitting in the afternoon. Every Wednesday, we have a special overseas treatment board meeting where we can refer patients needing radiotherapy overseas as the facility is not existing locally. On Wednesday morning, the team will go for home visits to limited mobility patients who are not able to attend our unit. We have a heavy workload as we have only one hospital for the whole country – one cancer specialized unit for the whole country. Most of the days, I am finishing way later than the 4 p.m. official ending of the working day. We’re covering on calls for oncology the whole week 24/7.
When did you start working with The Max Foundation?
In 2012, when I took over the Oncology unit of the Seychelles hospital.
How many patients are you treating in the program?
I treat 37 patients within the program.
What is a special memory you have with patients?
I have plenty of memories with my patients. One lady in particular who I contacted to be enrolled in the program thought about the consent and believed wrongly that I have asked her to come to talk about enrollment in a trial which is not approved. She falsely believed that I was giving them some poison. She called all her fellow patients and told them that she was so scared. We have her what you called “Radio bamboo,” which is described as the network of patients, their gossip corner of a sort. She sent the word of possible threats on the horizon!!!
I sat down with her and explained about the treatment, the data, and the side effects. I explained to her how the program works. And right away, she confesses to me that she has spread words of fear. The next days, she came back and signed her consent, took her treatment. And now, they’re all eager to take their treatment. None is more compliant to treatment than this lady and her friends. It’s a wonder how a good talk can help them.
What do you love most about where you live?
Seychelles? Everyone will love Seychelles with its pristine beaches and beautiful views, green all year-round. We have the bluest of skies and sea, stable weather whole year and promises of relaxation whenever you want to step out of your house and the hospital (the sea is just a drive away, if you choose to sit in a terrace/restaurant or enjoy a good spa, the choice is yours). It is a quiet life.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English, French, and Creole, but my maternal language is Malagasy.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?
Sit down with a good book, that’s my favorite! But lately, I have come to enjoy outings with my friends (restaurants, picnic on the beach, a day out at sea island hopping, even hiking).
What’s your favorite food?
A good lamb curry cooked by my husband.
