Merck Foundation and African First Ladies Expand Cancer Care Capacity with 258 Scholarships Across 34 Countries

Nairobi: Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, is marking 'World Cancer Day 2026' by advancing oncology care through the provision of 258 scholarships across 34 countries. This initiative aims to address the shortage of trained specialists and enhance cancer treatment capabilities on the continent. According to African Press Organization, the foundation has been instrumental in training the first African oncologists and establishing cancer care teams in countries where such expertise was previously non-existent. The initiative, led by Merck Foundation's Chairman and CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), alongside African First Ladies, is part of a broader Cancer Access Program designed to increase the number of oncologists in Africa and improve patient care. Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized the significance of the initiative, noting the critical gap in cancer care due to late diagnosis and a lack of trained specialists. The foundation has awarded 258 oncology scholarships to healthcare prov iders from African and Asian countries, thereby significantly increasing the number of trained oncologists and developing multidisciplinary cancer care teams in countries like The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, among others. Merck Foundation has provided over 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, covering 44 critical and underserved specialties. The scholarships include one-year clinical training in various oncology sub-specialties and postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology, and pain management from reputed UK universities. The need for such initiatives is underscored by WHO data from 2022, which highlights that Africa experiences approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases and around 700,000 cancer deaths annually. The foundation's oncology scholarships are critical in strengthening cancer care capacity across the continent, addressing factors like late diagnosis and limited access to care. Dr. Judith Mkwaila, a Merck Foundat ion alumna from Malawi, shared her experience of the Surgical Oncology fellowship training program, which equipped her with the necessary skills to start a General Surgical Clinic and become the first and only female Chief Surgeon at Mzuzu Central Hospital. This illustrates the tangible impact of Merck Foundation's scholarships in enhancing cancer care capabilities.