Victoria Mgbanwa
The CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, has expressed commitment towards health care capacity advancement and patient care transformation in 5O countries in Africa, Asia and beyond.
She disclosed this at the 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, conference in India.
According to her, Merck Foundation has been committed for the past 11 years, towards reshaping the landscape of the public healthcare sector in different parts of the world.
“We have come a long way and in conjunction with our partners, made a significant impact by building healthcare and media capacity.
“We are breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, childless women in particular, and supporting girl education and raising awareness on a wide range of social and health issues”, she said.
In addition, she noted that the Merck Foundation has provided more than 1700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries.
” We have provided these services in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as; Diabetes, Endocrinology, Oncology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual and reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Paediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology.
” Other specialities include; general surgery, Trauma and orthopaedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Emergency and resuscitation, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Clinical Microbiology and infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, and Neuroimaging for Research”, she explained.
The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, said she is working with the ministries of health to improve access to health in her country.
She said her country also organised training for Journalists on infertility to improve their capacity.
“We have distributed study books to young readers about raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension.
We have provided scholarships to 20 school girls by providing support to improve the capacity of girls and women in Zimbabwe”, she added.
The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E Mrs Maria De Fatima Vila NOVA, stated that education is the pillar of every country
The First Lady added that education for youngsters brings about development in their lives.
“Education for girls is very critical and the experience is very important for them as individuals. We support them by giving them a chance to establish their own business”, she said.
She further added that young girls’ lives have been transformed through healthy living.
” We keep encouraging young girls in terms of sensitization and awareness such that they can live better lives even when they become mothers”, she said.
The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi HE Mrs.Monica Chakwera, disclosed that 80% of the girls in her country do not have access to education.
“I have been doing everything within my power to improve education in my country. I grew up in the village. Education brought me out from obscurity to the limelight”, she added.
The First Lady also appealed for more support from stakeholders to ensure that infertility is reduced in Malawi.
According to her, many women are going through infertility issues and do not have the support to fulfil their potential.
” As the wife of the President, will keep doing my best to ensure that more women have the moral and financial support to end infertility in the country”, she added.
