Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, has reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering dedication to enhancing healthcare capacity and revolutionizing patient care in Africa and Asia.
Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has been a driving force behind the advancement of healthcare capabilities and service delivery in these regions, with a particular focus on bolstering public health facilities. Dr. Kelej made these remarks at the 10th edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023, currently taking place in India.
Over the years, the Merck Foundation has made significant contributions, including the training of healthcare practitioners in critical and underserved specialties such as diabetes, endocrinology, oncology, cardiovascular care, fertility, embryology, and more. More than 1700 scholarships have been granted to young doctors from 50 countries, enabling them to excel in these vital areas of medicine.
The Luminary conference, featuring a hybrid format with both online and in-person participation, has attracted over 6000 delegates from more than 70 countries. The event has also seen the active involvement of numerous African First Ladies, who are also Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” initiative.
Participants at the conference are expected to engage in discussions aimed at addressing the healthcare challenges faced by their respective nations. The overarching goal is to enhance access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions and to strengthen media and healthcare capacity in underserved medical fields.
Dr. Kelej highlighted the groundbreaking work done by the Merck Foundation in Africa, emphasizing the training of specialists in various countries, including Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Congo, among others. These specialists cover a wide spectrum of medical disciplines critical for these regions.
The Merck Foundation has also provided 138 scholarships for oncology training, many of which were conducted in partnership with institutions in India. These initiatives have paved the way for groundbreaking progress in the fields of oncology and fertility care across several countries in Africa and Asia.
Furthermore, the foundation has made substantial strides in raising awareness about pressing social and health issues. This includes supporting girl education, combating child marriage, ending gender-based violence, addressing infertility stigma, eradicating female genital mutilation, empowering women, and promoting awareness about diabetes and hypertension.
As part of their efforts, the Merck Foundation has organized various initiatives such as Health Media Training, important awards for media professionals, fashion designers, filmmakers, singers, and children’s storybooks. They have also ventured into creating animation movies to drive home important health messages.
The Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG and the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, expressed his satisfaction with the Merck Foundation’s remarkable contributions to healthcare delivery in Africa and Asia.
He affirmed the Merck Foundation’s commitment to continuing their collaborative efforts with partners, including ministries, medical societies, academia, media, and art communities, to lead Africa and Asia towards a healthier and brighter future.
Source: [Daily Graphic]
