By Ebere Agozie
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has over the past years provided well over 2000 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries.
Senator Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation said this during the inauguration of the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in Tanzania.
She said that the scholarships were given to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties, adding that many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries.
She noted that Merck Foundation introduced the strategic approach to build and enhance healthcare capacity in 2012, in partnership with African First Ladies, together with Ministries of Health and Medical Societies.
“The specialties include Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular dieses, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine and Internal Medicine among others.
“This has significantly contributed towards reshaping the public healthcare sector and transforming patient care landscape in 52 countries in Africa, Asia and beyond’’ she announced.
Kelej said the conference was designed to raise awareness of critical social and health issues, including supporting girls’ education, ending child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, breaking the infertility stigma, as well as diabetes and hypertension awareness.
“We equally have numerous media projects such as ‘Sugar-Free Jude,’ ‘Mark’s Pressure,’, ‘Jackline’s Rescue’, ‘A Ride into the Future’, and ‘More Than a Mother’ which were developed to raise awareness about the said social and health issues’’.
The Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan while declaring open the event, said that she was delighted her country hosted the 2024 conference.
“It is a great honor to inaugurate the conference alongside the First Ladies of Africa and Asia and I am certain that this conference will help us to achieve our shared mission.
“We all must deliberately make a transformation in the health and well-being of our people and I deeply appreciate the programs of Merck Foundation that are building healthcare capacity, breaking the infertility stigma, and supporting girl education,” she added.
Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees commended the Tanzanian leader, partners, health experts and the First Ladies of Africa and Asia for “joining hands with Merck Foundation to realize its vision that ‘Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life’”.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event also marked the 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 12 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs since 2012.
The conference featured a high level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and two high-level ministerial panel discussions with African ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.
Countries that participated in the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary included: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt.
Others were Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar and Namibia.
Countries like Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe also participated.