Lusaka: Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, marked 'World Cancer Day 2026' by advancing oncology care capacity through the award of 258 cancer care scholarships across 34 countries. This initiative aims to address the shortage of trained specialists and late diagnosis issues prevalent in Africa. According to African Press Organization, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany, has been instrumental in building cancer care capacity through its Cancer Access Program. The program seeks to increase the limited number of oncologists in Africa by providing one-year clinical training in various oncology sub-specialties and offering postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology, and pain management. The scholarships have been awarded to healthcare providers from African and Asian countries, significantly enhancing the number of trained oncologists and developing multidisciplinary cancer care teams in regions where such expertise was previously unavailable. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the historical impact of these efforts, noting that the foundation's initiatives have resulted in the training of the first African oncologists and cancer care teams in countries like The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and Liberia. In total, Merck Foundation has provided over 2,500 scholarships across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, underscoring its commitment to transforming patient care, particularly in cancer treatment. The foundation's educational support extends to partnerships with prestigious universities in the UK, such as the University of South Wales and Queen Mary University of London, where recipients pursue advanced studies in oncology. The program's reach includes countries like Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa, among others. Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the critical role of early diagnosis and the foundation's efforts to ra ise awareness through initiatives like the children's storybook and animation film "Ray of Hope," which focus on childhood cancer and the importance of early detection. The foundation has also produced various awareness materials to promote cancer prevention and early detection. Dr. Judith Mkwaila, a Merck Foundation alumnus from Malawi, shared her gratitude for the scholarship she received, which enabled her to complete a Surgical Oncology fellowship in India. The training equipped her with comprehensive skills in multimodality cancer treatment, allowing her to establish a General Surgical Clinic and become the first female Chief Surgeon at Mzuzu Central Hospital.