Merck Foundation expands cancer care capacity in Africa

MERCK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has intensified efforts to build cancer care capacity across the continent.

The initiative is being carried out through the Foundation’s Cancer Access Programme, which seeks to address Africa’s shortage of trained oncologists and improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

This is being done in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies and Ministries of Health to mark World Cancer Day 2026.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej (Ret), said the Foundation’s World Cancer Day activities reflect its long-term commitment to transforming cancer care in Africa.

She noted that late diagnosis and the lack of trained specialists remain two of the most critical gaps in cancer care on the continent.

To bridge this gap, she said the foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, has provided 258 oncology scholarships to healthcare professionals from 34 African and Asian countries, significantly increasing the number of trained oncologists and multidisciplinary cancer care teams.

“In several of these countries, there was not even a single oncologist,” Dr Kelej said, adding that the foundation is proud to be training the first oncologists and cancer care teams in countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, the Central African Republic, Chad and Niger.

Overall, she stated that the foundation has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, with cancer care remaining a key focus.

Under the Cancer Access Programme, Dr Kelej said the foundation is establishing multidisciplinary oncology care teams through one-year clinical training in several sub-specialties, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, paediatric oncology, gynaecological oncology, breast oncology, haemato-oncology, radiation oncology, pathology oncology, palliative care, oncology nursing and related fields.

In addition, she said Merck Foundation is offering one- and two-year postgraduate diploma and master’s degree programmes in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology and pain management, in partnership with leading universities in the United Kingdom, including the University of South Wales, University of Buckingham, Queen Mary University of London and Cardiff University.

The beneficiary countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others across Africa and Asia.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data (2022), Africa records about 1.1 million new cancer cases and nearly 700,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Mortality rates remain high due to late diagnosis, limited access to care and weak health systems.

Dr Kelej stressed that nearly two-thirds of cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early, while up to one-third can be prevented by reducing key risk factors.

As part of its awareness efforts, Merck Foundation has launched a children’s storybook and animation film titled “Ray of Hope”, developed in partnership with African First Ladies to promote early detection and cancer awareness, particularly childhood cancer.

She reiterated the foundation’s commitment to strengthening cancer care systems and leading Africa towards a healthier future.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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