We mark World Cancer Day together with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health in a very special and unique way—by transforming and advancing cancer care in Africa. Through our Cancer Access Program, we are building professional capacity and improving access to quality and equitable cancer care across the continent.
- At Merck Foundation World Cancer Day not just as a single day, but as our continued commitment to transform and advance cancer care in Africa. Together with my dear sisters, the Africa’s First Ladies, we have enhanced the cancer care capacity in the continent by providing 194 scholarships to young African doctors from 32 countries, significantly increasing the number of oncologists in Africa. We are making history together by providing these important scholarships for the first oncologists and/or the first cancer care teams in many countries across Africa.
- Through our Cancer Access Program, we are establishing Multidisciplinary Oncology Care Teams by providing scholarships for clinical training in Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pediatrics Oncology, Gynecology Oncology, Breast Oncology, Haemato-Oncology, Orthopaedic Oncology, Palliative Care, Pathology Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Research in Oncology, Surgical Oncology – Genital Urinary System, Advanced Cytopathology Training, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Technician, Laboratory Technician, and Oncology Nursing.In several of these countries, there wasn’t even a single oncologist. We are proud to be making history in Africa by training the first oncologists and establishing the first cancer care teams in nations such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger. Merck Foundation remains committed to transforming the landscape of cancer care across the continent and leading Africa toward a healthier future.
- As we know, Africa records around 1.1 million new cases of cancer, resulting in up to 700,000 deaths every year, as per WHO data. The mortality rate of cancer patients is very high in Africa, compared to the rest of the world. One of the key reasons is the late diagnosis of the disease. Therefore, these scholarships are very important in addressing this critical gap.
- Merck Foundation has also created awareness materials, including awareness leaflets and videos on Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, to further support our mission.
As we know, Africa records around 1.1 million new cases of cancer, resulting in up to 700,000 deaths every year, as per WHO data. The mortality rate of cancer patients is very high in Africa, compared to the rest of the world. One of the key reasons is the late diagnosis of the disease. Therefore, these scholarships are very important in addressing this critical gap.
Merck Foundation has also created awareness materials, including awareness leaflets and videos on Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, to further support our mission.
Watch testimonial videos of Merck Foundation Oncology Fellowship Alumni:
- Let us continue this journey together.Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO of Merck Foundation
