Merck Foundation Celebrates World Cancer Day with African First Ladies
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recently marked World Cancer Day 2025 in collaboration with Africa’s First Ladies and Ministries of Health. The organization’s Cancer Access Program aims to enhance cancer care capacity in Africa by providing scholarships to young African doctors from 32 countries, thereby increasing the number of oncologists on the continent.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the organization’s ongoing commitment to advancing cancer care in Africa. Through the program, Merck Foundation has provided 194 scholarships to doctors from various African countries, enabling them to pursue one-, two-, and three-year fellowship programs, diplomas, and master’s degrees in oncology. This initiative has helped establish the first oncologists and cancer care teams in countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and Liberia, among others.
In total, Merck Foundation has awarded over 2100 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical medical specialties. The Cancer Access Program offers clinical training in India, Egypt, and Kenya, as well as online postgraduate diplomas in cancer and clinical oncology from reputable universities in the UK.
The program also focuses on establishing multidisciplinary oncology care teams in various African countries through scholarships in medical oncology, surgical oncology, pediatrics oncology, and other specialized areas. By providing these scholarships, Merck Foundation aims to address the high mortality rate of cancer patients in Africa, attributed in part to late diagnosis of the disease.
Dr. Chifundo Kajombo, a Merck Foundation alumni from Malawi, shared his experience of receiving a scholarship for a surgical oncology fellowship program in India. He noted how the training helped him enhance his understanding of cancer care and surgical principles, leading to recognition as the Best Surgeon in Malawi in 2023.
Merck Foundation has also developed awareness materials on cancer prevention and early detection to educate communities about the importance of early diagnosis. Through its initiatives, the organization is working towards transforming the landscape of cancer care in Africa and improving health outcomes for individuals in need.
To stay updated on Merck Foundation’s activities and initiatives, follow their social media platforms and visit their website. The organization remains committed to its mission of improving access to quality healthcare, empowering individuals in STEM fields, and advancing the well-being of communities in need.
