Interview with Argent Moonga

Argent Moonga on right (Dr. Celestin on left, me in middle)

What is your official title?

I am a cataract surgeon.  It may not be common to other countries, probably something more common to African countries.  It is where a non-medical doctor- so in my case I've done clinical medicine which is a diploma- can still go further in a specialty, ophthalmology.  First we do what is called clinical ophthalmology, which is a two year program.  Then we do another two years of cataract surgery.  But in my case, after doing the two years in clinical ophthalmology, I did one year of cataract surgery because I already had the background.  So I had just to go straight into the second year of cataract surgery.  

I did it in Moshe, a very well known institution in Tanzania.  Actually that's where Dr. Celestine [the Rwandan ophthalmologist at Lusaka Eye Hospital] trained and most of the ophthalmologists we have in Zambia.  They have the patients, they have the facilities, they have more advanced technology than we have, they have a school.

But I did my attachments at a different hospital, a non-governmental hospital where they have a lot of patients.  But in a day in the outpatient department [there] you can see up to 100 patients!  They can do up to 100 surgeries in one day, of course with different surgeons, so maybe there will be six [operating] tables.

Where was this?  You said it was your attachment?

In Dar-es-Salaam, in Tanzania.  It's a hospital called CCBRT.  It is sponsored by CBM, Christian Blind Mission.

And the attachment- is that like your residency training?

Yes, where you do the hands-on training.

How did you decide to do ophthalmology?

Well I developed a passion when I was a student doing general clinical medicine.  We had a program where we rotated through the hospital.  We had just an orientation to the eyes, ears, the different specialties.  So when I came here [to Lusaka Eye Hospital], there was an eye surgeon who actually initiated the whole program.  Even the hospital, actually, is like his brain child.  So he was the medical director then at this hospital.  So when we went into [the operating] theater, he gave us some homework to do.  "I want you to look at this and this and this," he said.  So I started reading and started getting interested.  When I came back, he said, "I think you have a passion for this.  Why don't you start thinking about doing ophthalmology when you finish your training?"  So from then I started developing that interest.  I applied at this hospital and was picked!  Before I even did any ophthalmology training.  And this hospital sponsored me to do clinical ophthalmology here for two years before I went to Tanzania for cataract surgery training.

What do you like most about practicing in ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a very interesting field because- especially in my capacity as a cataract surgeon- here come these patients who cannot see for years, maybe two or three years.  Then I do an operation on this eye and the next day they are able to see and are jumping up and down.  That gives me so much joy.  I feel so happy when I see somebody who was not seeing then after a fifteen minute surgery, the following day they are able to see.

What do you think are the biggest challenges in your job?

I think the biggest challenges have to do with equipment.  We are just a developing country.  With the limited resources, we are able to do our best.  But IF we had the up to date equipment, I think we could do a tremendous job.

What are your career goals?

There are some barriers in terms of career progression.  If I want to do something higher it means I have to divert a little bit because there's no straight path to go and do a master's or anything.  So it means if I want to go and do something higher in ophthalmology I need to do public health, primary care...

Oh, administration.
...administration, that sort of thing.  So I'm planning to still remain in my practice but I may do something that will do with administration.  I still have the passion to have the hands-on with the patient- that's what I enjoy most.

Did you grow up in Zambia?
I was born in Zambia, grew up in Zambia.  Of course I've gone to a few African countries, like Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo, Angola, but Zambia's home.

A few random questions- how many people are in your family?
I have a daughter and a wife.  My daughter is six years old.

What's your favorite food?
My favorite food is rice.  Rice and other things you can mix it with.  Of course nshima is our staple food but I think rice is my favorite- rice with beans, rice with chicken, there's a lot of things you can add to it.

What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I like nature walks.  I just go walking around, enjoying nature.  I like watching these National Geographic channels where they just show animals.

Thanks, those are all the questions I have.
Thank you so much.