Merck Foundation Builds Cancer Care Capacity in Africa

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Merck Foundation joins hands with African First Ladies to improve cancer care in Africa

By M.Dennise Nimpson|LPR Contributor

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, continue to provide one, two- and three-year Oncology Fellowship and Master Degree for African doctors through their Cancer Access Program with the aim to increase the limited number of Oncologists across the continent.

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans said the plan is to develop a multidisciplinary Oncology Care team in each country.

Dr. Kelej said the programs are  Medical, Surgery, Pediatric, Gynecology, Radiation, Oncologists, Nursing, Pathologist and Radiology Technician.

According to her, as an African woman, she is proud that they are making history in Africa by training the first oncologists and first cancer care teams in many countries.

She named the country as Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad and Niger.

Merck Foundation CEO noted that the foremost objective is to provide quality and affordable care to patients who never had anyone to care of them before.

The First Lady of Liberia Madam Clar Marie Weah stressed, “Merck Foundation is the first Foundation that provided this valuable specialty training to first oncologists in Liberia.

Mrs. Weah further, they are also providing the training for the first fertility specialists, embryologists and diabetes specialists in my country Liberia.

The Liberian First Lady said in partnership with her office, “Merck Foundation will also provide online one year diploma and two-year master degree in Respiratory Medicines, Cardiovascular Medicines, Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Acute medicines and Endocrinology for Liberia and of course the rest Africa.

Merck Foundation has provided one, two-and three-year Oncology Fellowship and Master Degree for more than 80 Oncologists from 26 countries through their Cancer Access Program in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health of these countries.

 The First Lady of Liberia claimed Merck Foundation is the first Foundation that provided valuable specialty training to first oncologists in Liberia.

She maintained her office also providing the training for the first fertility specialists, embryologists and diabetes specialists in my country Liberia.

 At the same time, she said building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to address this pressing challenge. I

Launched in 2016, the Merck Cancer Access Program provides One-, two- and three-years fellowship and master degree programs for African doctors in India, Egypt, Kenya and Malaysia.

Merck Foundation through its Merck Cancer Access Program has till date trained more than 80 Oncology Care Specialists from 26 countries which are: Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinee, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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