Merck Foundation to Provide Trained Oncologists to Malawi

The National Cancer Centre which is being constructed in Lilongwe in Malawi will soon have trained oncologists under the auspices of the Merck Foundation.

Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation Dr Rasha Kellej said during a meeting with First Lady Gertrude Mutharika that the organization will work together with the Ministry of Health in Malawi.

According to Dr. Kellej this development will help to address challenges facing by Malawi government in treating cancer patients.

Dr. Kellej added that the oncologists will be trained in India and Egypt for one year and two years respectively.

In her remarks Malawi First Lady commended Merck Foundation for the timely support, saying the country does not have enough specialist cancer doctors.

 “We are very grateful for the support from Merck Foundation. Human resource development is very vital in managing and eradicating problems such as cancer and as a country we are facing challenges with the various types of cancers,” said Mutharika.

Merck Foundation is a United States-based charitable organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology.