{"id":8935,"date":"2026-04-09T12:52:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8935"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:55:15","slug":"message-from-ceo-of-merck-foundation-senator-dr-rasha-kelej-on-marking-world-cancer-day-2025-by-providing-194-oncology-scholarships-to-doctors-from-32-african-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8935","title":{"rendered":"Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, on Marking World Cancer Day 2025 by Providing 194 Oncology Scholarships to Doctors from 32 African Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We mark\u00a0World Cancer Day together with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health<\/strong>\u00a0in a very special and unique way\u2014by transforming and advancing cancer care in Africa. Through our\u00a0Cancer Access Program,<\/strong>\u00a0we are building professional capacity and improving access to quality and equitable cancer care across the continent.<\/p>

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  • At\u00a0Merck Foundation World Cancer Day<\/strong>\u00a0not just as a single day, but as our continued commitment to transform and advance cancer care in Africa. Together with my dear sisters,\u00a0the Africa\u2019s First Ladies<\/strong>, we have enhanced the cancer care capacity in the continent by\u00a0providing 194 scholarships to young African doctors from 32 countries,\u00a0<\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n
  • Through our Cancer Access Program, we are establishing\u00a0Multidisciplinary Oncology Care Teams\u00a0by providing scholarships for clinical training in\u00a0Medical 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.<\/strong><\/em>In several of these countries, there wasn\u2019t 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\u00a0The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger.<\/strong>\u00a0Merck Foundation remains committed to transforming the landscape of cancer care across the continent and leading Africa toward a healthier future.<\/li>\n\n
  • As we know, Africa records around\u00a01.1 million new cases of cancer, resulting in up to\u00a0700,000 deaths every year, as per WHO data<\/strong>. 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.<\/li>\n\n
  • Merck Foundation has also created awareness materials, including\u00a0awareness leaflets and videos on Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, to further support our mission.<\/li>\n\n
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    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<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>

    Merck Foundation has also created awareness materials, including awareness leaflets and videos on Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, to further support our mission.<\/p>

    Watch testimonial videos of Merck Foundation Oncology Fellowship Alumni:<\/strong><\/p>

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