Merck Foundation Commemorates World Health Day 2026, Strengthening Healthcare Access with Over 2,600 Scholarships for Providers Across 52 Countries
The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marked World Health Day 2026 in collaboration with First Ladies from various African and Asian nations. This partnership, which aligns with the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, underscores its commitment to enhancing healthcare access across Africa, Asia, and beyond through scholarships and capacity-building initiatives.
Commitment to Healthcare Transformation
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the organization’s dedication to transforming the healthcare landscape. She stated that the foundation has been actively engaged in efforts to build healthcare capacity in underserved communities for the past 14 years. In this context, she highlighted the provision of over 2,600 scholarships to young healthcare providers across 52 countries, covering 44 critical medical specialties.
Dr. Kelej noted that many of the foundation’s alumni are pioneering specialists in their fields within their respective countries, including Namibia, Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Guinea, Ethiopia, Congo, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. She described this development as a significant milestone in the history of healthcare in Africa, empowering a new generation of specialists who will impact future generations.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Shortages
The Merck Foundation’s initiatives come at a crucial time when the African region faces a severe shortage of trained healthcare providers. According to a WHO report from 2021, Africa bears 24% of the global disease burden while having only 2.9 healthcare workers per 1,000 people. This disparity severely affects health outcomes across the continent.
The scholarships provided by the Merck Foundation are vital in addressing these gaps. They offer specialized training to doctors, thereby improving patient care in underserved communities. The foundation collaborates closely with its ambassadors, the African and Asian First Ladies, as well as local partners, including ministries of health, education, and various academic institutions, to build healthcare capacity and tackle social and economic challenges.
Empowering Women and Youth in STEM
In addition to healthcare training, the Merck Foundation actively promotes the empowerment of women and youth in science and technology through its STEM program. The annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards celebrate outstanding African women researchers and young African researchers, fostering excellence in scientific inquiry.
Dr. Kelej remarked that the theme for World Health Day 2026, “Together for health. Stand with science,” aligns seamlessly with the foundation’s mission to train healthcare providers and empower women and youth in STEM fields.
Call for 2026 Scholarship Applications
Dr. Kelej announced the opening of applications for the 2026 scholarships, specifically targeting young healthcare providers, with an emphasis on women medical graduates. The scholarships encompass on-site fellowship programs, clinical training, and online diploma and master’s degree courses in 44 critical medical specialties. Applications will be processed through the offices of the First Ladies of Africa and the respective ministries of health.
To apply for in-campus scholarships in specialties such as fertility, oncology, and diabetes, interested candidates can visit the official application page. For online scholarships, a separate link is provided for applicants.
The selection process for each scholarship will be based on requests from the First Lady’s office, the Ministry of Health, or medical societies, aiming to fill gaps in the public healthcare system in each country. The criteria for selection will include eligibility requirements set by each training institute and the availability of scholarships and funding.
Conclusion
The Merck Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare access and quality across Africa and Asia. By investing in the training of healthcare providers and empowering women and youth in STEM, the foundation is making significant strides toward addressing the pressing healthcare challenges faced by these regions.
For more information, visit the Merck Foundation website.
Published on 2026-04-07 19:26:00 • By the Editorial Desk
