Merck Foundation and African First Ladies have stepped up the battle against cancer, vowing to halt the rising wave of cases and preventable deaths across Africa.
The renewed commitment came as the world marked World Cancer Day 2026 with the theme “United by Unique,” a call to put people at the centre of cancer care.
Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, described cancer as a growing menace that demands urgent global attention, stressing that early detection remains a lifesaver.
She revealed that nearly two-thirds of cancer cases can be successfully treated if detected early, while up to one-third can be prevented by avoiding major risk factors.
“Act early, get screened and choose prevention,” she urged.
Dr. Kelej said the partnership with African First Ladies has begun yielding results, particularly in building local cancer care capacity.
According to her, the foundation has provided 258 oncology scholarships out of a total of 2,500 scholarships across 44 medical specialties in 34 countries.
In a major breakthrough, she disclosed that the initiative has produced the first-ever oncologists in countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad and Niger reducing dependence on foreign medical treatment.
“Behind every number is a human story — a doctor empowered to save lives and patients who no longer need to travel abroad for care,” she said.
She also spotlighted the foundation’s “Ray of Hope” storybook, designed to educate children and families on prevention and early detection.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, raised the alarm that cancer has become a full-blown public health emergency on the continent.
He disclosed that over one million new cases are recorded annually in Africa, with nearly the same number of deaths each year.
“Cancer is no longer a silent crisis in Africa. It is a growing emergency that demands urgent and sustained action,” Janabi warned.
He lamented that many deaths occur not because solutions are unavailable, but because access to screening, diagnosis and treatment remains unequal.
Stakeholders insisted that with stronger partnerships, early detection and improved access to care, Africa can turn the tide against cancer and save millions of lives.
