Merck Foundation Awards 269 Oncology Scholarships to Healthcare Workers Across Africa
The Merck Foundation has awarded 269 clinical oncology scholarships to healthcare workers from 34 countries across Africa and Asia, aiming to build cancer care capacity in regions with critical shortages of trained specialists.
MONROVIA, Liberia — In a sweeping effort to strengthen cancer-care capacity across Africa, the Merck Foundation announced March 18 that it has awarded 269 one-year clinical oncology scholarships, along with postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, to healthcare workers from 34 countries. The initiative aims to establish multidisciplinary oncology teams in regions where, in some cases, no oncologist has previously practiced.
The scholarships are part of the foundation’s Cancer Access Program, developed in partnership with African First Ladies and national Ministries of Health. They support clinical fellowships across a wide range of oncology subspecialties, including medical, surgical, pediatric and gynecologic oncology; breast and hematologic cancers; radiation oncology and technician training; pathology; palliative care; oncology nursing; and interventional radiology. The program also funds one- and two-year postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology and pain management through partner universities in the United Kingdom, including the University of South Wales, University of Buckingham, Queen Mary University of London and Cardiff University.
“At Merck Foundation, we are transforming cancer care in Africa by addressing one of its most critical gaps: late diagnosis and the shortage of trained specialists,” said Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the foundation’s chair and CEO. “We are proud to be training the first oncologists and multidisciplinary cancer care teams in many countries, including The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea, Central African Republic, Chad and Niger.”
The program spans countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and extends to parts of Asia, including Malaysia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The effort addresses stark disparities in cancer outcomes on the continent. According to the World Health Organization, Africa sees about 1.1 million new cancer cases and up to 700,000 deaths each year. High mortality rates are driven largely by late diagnosis, limited access to specialized care and broader gaps in health infrastructure. Foundation leaders emphasize that earlier detection and trained multidisciplinary teams could significantly improve outcomes; Kelej noted that nearly two-thirds of cancers can be successfully treated when caught early.
The impact of the program is already visible in individual careers. Dr. Judith Mkwaila of Malawi said her surgical oncology fellowship in India provided hands-on experience with complex procedures involving head and neck, breast, gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as exposure to team-based care. After completing the program, she established a general surgical clinic and became the first and only female chief surgeon at Mzuzu Central Hospital.
While the initiative is centered in Africa, its implications extend to communities abroad, including the Twin Cities’ large African and African-descended populations. In Minnesota, immigrants and refugees often face barriers to timely cancer care, including language differences, cultural gaps, insurance challenges and limited access to culturally responsive screening and outreach. Expanding oncology capacity in African countries can strengthen diaspora ties, support knowledge exchange with U.S.-based clinicians and inform local efforts to improve early detection and equity in care.
Merck Foundation has also developed educational materials to promote prevention and early detection, including a children’s storybook and an animated film, “Ray of Hope,” created with African First Ladies to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Available in multiple languages, these resources are designed to help families recognize warning signs earlier and reduce stigma that can delay treatment.
To date, the foundation reports it has provided more than 2,500 scholarships across 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. This article is based on a Merck Foundation press release distributed by APO Group.
For more information, visit merck-foundation.com/news-articles/World-Cancer-Day-2026.
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