Major boost for cancer fight as First Lady partners Merck Foundation in oncology training for doctors
THE partnership between the country’s health ambassador, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Merck Foundation, has seen the country receiving more scholarships for doctors and nurses to study oncology as they join the world in commemorating the 2024 World Cancer Day.
Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany and it works with African First Ladies on various programmes, including health.
Amai Mnangagwa is the ambassador for Merck-More than a Mother in Zimbabwe.
The World Cancer Day is celebrated each year on February 4 to raise awareness on cancer issues around the globe.
This year’s commemoration ran under the theme “Close the Care Gap”.
This year, Merck Foundation’s chief executive officer, Dr Rasha Kelej said her foundation availed 140 more specialist training opportunities to doctors looking at pursuing studies in oncology, palliative care and pain management, radiation oncology and psychiatry for various African countries including Zimbabwe.
Psychiatry studies will help Zimbabwean nurses and doctors to manage and rehabilitate victims of drug and substance abuse which is wrecking havoc globally.
Amai Mnangagwa is working flat out to ward off the scourge.
Dr Kelej added that there was need still to pursue training in fertility and embryology.
After the training, the doctors are expected to support the public health system to improve access to equitable and quality healthcare.
Through the mother of the nation, 100 doctors in Zimbabwe have so far benefited from the scholarships and some have already completed the programmes in women’s health
These include reproductive and sexual care and fertility care capacity and using the knowledge gained to improve the country’s healthcare.
They are already practising their skills in the public hospitals.
Amai Mnangagwa works with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to select doctors and nurses from all the country’s provinces.
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 masters’ degrees.
Dr Mnangagwa said she is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to actively monitor the programme outcomes and engage with the beneficiaries to ensure optimal utilisation of the valuable opportunity to improve access to quality and equitable health care in the public sector.
She said through these programmes, the country would reshape its healthcare sector and empower healthcare providers and motivate them to provide better care for the people.
Amai Mnangagwa also facilitated the training of a group of healthcare professionals in the use of advanced mammography equipment.
Zimbabwean specialists have visited Belarus where they got hands-on training on the use of digital mammogram units used there.
They also got a feel of best practices in their fields of expertise.
Mammography is the best way of detecting all types of breast cancer as it increases the detection of small abnormal tissue growths confined to the milk ducts in the breast.
This reduces the risk of death due to breast cancer.
A group of radiologists, radiographers and technicians received training from experts from Belarus on the use of this machinery as well as its maintenance and upkeep.
Those who got training in Belarus were also part of the trainers as they imparted the knowledge they got to their counterparts.
To mark this year’s event, Merck Foundation chief executive officer, Dr Kelej, said World Cancer Day was 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,” she said.