Merck Foundation marks 'World Cancer Day 2018'

Merck Foundation a nonprofit company and a subsidiary of Merck KGaA Germany marks World Cancer Day 2018 to create awareness around cancer and build cancer care capacity with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists across Africa and developing countries The CEO of Merck Foundation Dr Rasha Kelej recently visited Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science Tanzania to meet the alumni of Merck Oncology Fellowship Program with the aim to evaluate the impact of the one and twoyear medical oncology fellowship programs conducted in Tata memorial center in IndiaThrough Merck Oncology Fellowship Program foundation has trained the first medical oncologist in Tanzania Dr Christina V Malichewe During her visit to Tanzania Dr Rasha Kelej emphasized We strongly believe that building professional capacity is the right strategy to improve access to quality and equitable cancer care in the continent Dr Christina is one of the 59 future oncologists Merck Foundation has committed to train for Africa In June 2017 BIO Ventures for Global Health BVGH and the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer AORTIC released a white paper on the African continents emerging cancer crisisOver 20 percent of African countries have no access to cancer treatments at all while access is limited and sporadic in other countries Laterstage diagnosis in African patients contributes to poorer outcomes For example fiveyear female breast cancer relative survival rates are 46 percent in Uganda and 12 percent in The Gambia compared with around 90 percent in developed countries The first medical oncologist in Tanzania Dr Christina V Malichewe said I can now make difference for my patients We dont have medical oncology to manage patients through chemotherapy we only have clinical oncologists and radiotherapists Thus oneyear medical oncology fellowship in India has enabled me to save many lives every day Thanks to Merck Foundation for this opportunity in TanzaniaDuring her meeting with Dr Christina Dr Rasha Kelej said Ive enjoyed every moment with her witnessing the great impact she makes every day on her patients lives Through her we transform peoples lives every day Sarah Opendi Uganda Minister of State of Health said Merck Foundation and ministry of health of Uganda have been partners for a very long time we have been working together on various issues with special focus on cancer and infertility We appreciate the efforts of Merck Foundation in building cancer care capacity in Uganda and other African countries and we hope soon we would have world class cancer facilities and expert locally in our beloved countryThe first fellow for Merck Oncology Fellowship Program from Uganda Dr Sekitene Seei Buwambaza said Merck Oncology Fellowship program is very important to me because it is giving me an opportunity to learn and improve on the way I have been doing things concerning the management of cancer patients It is also ushering me into the new trend that cancer care and research is taking in this 21st century A bond with Merck Foundation as an alumnus is going to keep me updated with new developments in cancer care Fellowship Program from Uganda Dr Musana Othiniel an obstetrician and gynaecologist from Uganda Uganda as a country lacks a national cancer screening program yet cervical cancer and breast cancer remains the most common cancers and accounts for the highest proportion of cancers requiring treatment The country also has a shortage of good gynaeoncology clinicians researchers and educators in Uganda hence limiting access for women with cancer to screening diagnostic and treatment servicesHe further added The Merck Oncology Fellowship Program will expand my knowledge on the selection of appropriate clinical and research methodology used in gynaeoncology I hope to improve my skills in carrying out appropriate and evidencebased clinical diagnosis and treatment but also empower me with excellent clinical education skill to mentor other young health workers in gynaeoncology While appreciating the efforts of Merck Foundation Dr Damas Dukundane Merck Foundation oncology fellow from Rwanda said When the right people are in charge then the right things happen I am so excited to be part of this journey of change makers where the history will remember us as the Merck Foundation fellows who improved the lives of people with cancer in Africa in the 21st centuryMoreover 50 future oncologists either joined or will join one two or three years Merck Oncology Fellowship Program from many subSaharan African countries out of which countries such as Gambia and Liberia never had oncologists Merck Foundation will provide eight doctors from both Uganda and Tanzania with one year medical oncology fellowship program Furthermore together with University of Nairobi Merck Foundation established the first twoyear medical oncology fellowship program for SubSaharan AfricaCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news current affairs from Mumbai local news crime news and breaking headlines hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go