Lusaka: Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) together with African First Ladies marked 'World Cancer Day 2026' by advancing oncology care capacity through 258 cancer care scholarships across 34 countries. This initiative, part of the Cancer Access Program, aims to address the shortage of oncologists and improve cancer care in Africa.According to African Press Organization, Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, continues to build cancer care capacity by offering nearly 260 scholarships for one-year clinical training in various oncology sub-specialties. Additionally, one-year and two-year postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology, and pain management are provided. These efforts are creating a historic impact by training the first African oncologists and cancer care teams in countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, and several others.Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) emphasized the foundation's commitment, explaining that World Cancer Day is marked through ongoing efforts to transform cancer care by addressing late diagnosis and the scarcity of trained specialists. The initiative has significantly increased the number of trained oncologists and developed multidisciplinary cancer care teams in regions previously lacking such expertise.Merck Foundation has provided over 2500 scholarships globally in 44 critical and underserved specialties. Their dedication to transforming patient care is evident through initiatives like the Cancer Access Program, which has established multidisciplinary oncology care teams across Africa. These scholarships cover specialties such as medical, surgical, and pediatric oncology, among others.The foundation partners with prestigious universities in the UK to provide postgraduate education, ensuring high-quality training for healthcare providers from countries including Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, to name a few.According to WHO data from 2 022, Africa experiences approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases and around 700,000 cancer deaths annually. The higher mortality rates compared to other regions highlight the need for improved diagnosis and care. Merck Foundation's scholarships play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.Dr. Rasha Kelej noted the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, and highlighted the launch of a children's storybook and animation film, "Ray of Hope," to raise awareness about childhood cancer and the importance of early detection. This initiative, in partnership with African First Ladies, aims to enhance public awareness of cancer prevention and early detection.Dr. Judith Mkwaila, a Merck Foundation alumna from Malawi, shared her experience of receiving a scholarship for a surgical oncology fellowship. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, which enabled her to acquire critical skills and establish a surgical clinic, becoming the first female chief surgeon at Mzuzu Central Hospital.