Merck Foundation provides 140 oncology scholarships

MARKING the 2024 World Cancer Day, the Merck Foundation, in collaboration with first ladies and ministries of health in Africa, has provided 140 scholarships to doctors looking at pursuing studies in oncology in 28 African countries.

Oncology is a branch of medicine that specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Aimed at building cancer care capacity and increasing the numbers of oncologists, the scholarships are for fellowships ranging from a year to three years, culminating in the awarding of diplomas and master’s degrees.

The World Cancer Day is celebrated each year on February 4 to raise awareness on cancer issues around the globe. This year’s commemorations are running under the theme: “Close the Care Gap”.

To mark this year’s event, Merck Foundation chief executive officer, Dr Rasha Kelej, said World Cancer Day is not just celebrated on a specific day, but rather on a daily basis year-in-year-out, through transforming and advancing cancer care in Africa by enhancing professional capacity as well as improving access to high-quality and equitable care throughout the continent.

“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation, together with African first ladies, is successfully increasing the limited number of oncologists in Africa by providing 140 scholarships to young African doctors from 28 countries,” she said.

Dr Kelej said the foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGA Germany, has so far provided more than 1 700 scholarships to doctors from over 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties, through its Cancer Access and Oncology Fellowship Programme.

“In some of these countries, there was not even a single oncologist, therefore, we are proud that we are making history in Africa through training the first oncologists and first cancer care teams in many countries such as; The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger,” she said.

She added that the Merck Foundation is committed to leading Africa to a better future through transforming the landscape of cancer care on the continent, and is making history through partnerships in Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Everyone has the ability to make a difference, large or small, so that there can be real progress in the fight against cancer to reduce its global impact.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation show that every year Africa records around 1,1 million new cases of cancer, resulting in up to 700 000 deaths. The mortality rate for cancer patients is higher in Africa, as compared to the rest of the world.

One of the key reasons is the late diagnosis of the disease. Moreover, Africa has only three percent of the world’s cancer treatment facilities.