Call for Applications for Merck Foundation 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with focus on female doctors diploma and master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties

Merck Foundation announce Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two-year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

• Applications for the ONLINE scholarships can be submitted to: https://apo-opa.co/3VYljFE.
• Applications for the ON-CAMPUS scholarships can be submitted to:
  • Fertility: https://apo-opa.co/3xDdBqn
  • Oncology: https://apo-opa.co/4aHjeTr

Details of the Merck Foundation Scholarships for young doctors with focus on female doctors diploma and master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties

Merck Foundation, the charitable organization affiliated with Merck KGaA Germany, has joined forces with African First Ladies to commemorate “World Health Day” in 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance patient care by offering more than 1740 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. The African First Ladies, who also serve as ambassadors for Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign, are actively involved in this initiative through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program.

Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation, highlighted the organization’s commitment to World Health Day, which extends beyond a single day. For the past 12 years, Merck Foundation has been dedicated to building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia, and other regions.

Dr. Kelej proudly announced that Merck Foundation has already granted over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries. These scholarships cover various critical and underserved medical specialties, including Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART, and many more.

According to available data, Africa currently has only 34.6% of the required number of doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is estimated that by 2030, Africa will need an additional 6.1 million healthcare professionals in these fields.

Prior to the initiation of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012, several countries including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, and Namibia lacked specialized medical professionals such as Oncologists, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologists, Respiratory or ICU specialists. However, through our collaborative efforts with Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education, and Communication, we have made significant strides in creating a historic legacy in Africa and beyond. Together, we are positively impacting the lives of individuals residing in disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.

The Merck Foundation works closely with its Ambassadors, the African First Ladies, and local partners including Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media, and Art. Our focus is on building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social, and economic challenges in developing countries and underserved communities.

“I firmly believe that training healthcare providers and enhancing professional healthcare capacity is the most effective strategy to improve access to equitable and high-quality healthcare in Africa. Therefore, I am delighted to announce the Call for Applications for the 2024 Scholarships, with a special emphasis on female doctors, for our online one-year diploma and two-year master’s degree programs in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. These programs include both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. Applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa, and the Ministry of Health of each country,” shared Dr. Kelej.

“Our ultimate goal is to enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals by strengthening healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia, and other developing countries. We are fully committed to transforming the landscape of patient care through our scholarships program,” concluded Senator Kelej.

Details of the Scholarships:

ONLINE Diploma Scholarships:

Sr. No	Duration	Speciality
1	PG Diploma (1 year)	Diabetes
2	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine
3	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Sexual and Reproductive Medicine
4	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Endocrinology
5	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Respiratory Medicine
6	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Acute Medicine
7	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Rheumatology
8	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Gastroenterology
9	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Dermatology in Clinical Practice
10	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Clinical Psychiatry
11	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Medical Oncology
12	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Obesity and Weight Management
13	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Infectious Diseases
14	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Women’s Health
15	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Urology
16	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Family Medicine
17	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Paediatrics and Child Health
18	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Pain Management
19	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Cardiology
20	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Stroke Medicine
21	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Neurology
22	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Neurosurgery
23	PG Diploma (1 Year)	Care of the Older Person
24	PG Diploma  (21 months)	Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine
25	PG Diploma  (21 Months)	Laparoscopic Surgical Skills
26	PG Diploma (2 years)	Neonatal Medicine
27	PG Diploma (2 years)	Pediatric Emergency Medicine
28	PG Diploma (2 years)	Primary Care Ophthalmology
29	PG Diploma (2 Years)	Internal Medicine
30	PG Diploma (2 Years)	Neuroimaging for research
31	ChM (2 Years)	Trauma and Orthopedics
32	ChM (2 Years)	General Surgery
33	MSc (15 Months)	Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology
34	MSc (2 years)	Advanced Surgical Practice

How to Apply:

• Applications can be submitted to: https://apo-opa.co/3VYljFE.

IN-CAMPUS Fellowship and Training Programs:

Sr. No	Program and Duration	Speciality
1	Training Program  (3 months)	Advanced ART and Fertility Specialists
2	Training Program  (3 months)	Assisted Reproduction and Embryology
3	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Diabetes & Hypertension
4	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Critical Care Medicine
5	Clinical Training Program (1 Year)	Multi-specialties
6	Clinical Training Program (1 Year)	Sub-Specialties of Oncology
7	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Neurosurgery
8	ONCOLOGY Fellowship & Training Programs
8.1	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Medical Oncology
8.2	Fellowship Program    (1 Year)	Gynecological Oncology
8.3	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Pediatric Medical Oncology
8.4	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Radiation Oncology
8.5	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Surgical Oncology
8.6	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Pain & Palliative Medicine
8.7	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Pathology Oncology
8.8	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Hematology Oncology
8.9	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Interventional Radiology
8.10	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Surgical Oncology – Breast Surgery
8.11	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Carcinoma of Breast
8.12	Fellowship Program  (1 Year)	Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
8.13	Training Program  (3 months)	Radiation Technician
8.14	Training Program  (3 months)	Oncology Nursing
8.15	Training Program  (3 months)	Oncology Research Training
8.16	Training Program  (3 months)	Laboratory Technician

How to Apply:

Applications can be submitted to:

• Fertility: https://apo-opa.co/3xDdBqn
• Oncology: https://apo-opa.co/4aHjeTr

The selection for each scholarship will be based on request by First Lady Office, Ministry of Health and / or Medical Society with the aim to fill the gaps of public healthcare system in each country.

The selection will be based on eligibility criteria fulfillment of each training Institute and Foundation, scholarship availability and fund availability.