Merck Foundation provides over 2000 scholarships to young doctors in critical specialties
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has over the past years provided more than 2000 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries.
Senator Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation announced this Tuesday during the inauguration of the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary underway in Tanzania.
“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2080 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties...many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries,” Kelej said.
The specialties include Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine and Internal Medicine among others, according to Kalej, who is also the Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.
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.
“This has significantly contributed towards reshaping the public healthcare sector and transforming patient care landscape in 52 countries in Africa, Asia and beyond,” she said.
While opening the conference, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan said she was delighted her country hosted this year’s conference.
“It is a great honor to inaugurate the conference alongside the First Ladies of Africa and Asia. I am certain that this conference will help us to achieve our shared mission — to make a transformation in the health and well-being of our people. I deeply appreciate the programs of Merck Foundation that are building healthcare capacity, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girl education,” she said.
The event also marked; the 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 12 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs since 2012.
On the first day of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2024 featured a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia.
Two high-level ministerial panel discussions were also held with African ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.
The First Ladies from 15 countries from Africa and Asia attended the event.
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 us to realize the Merck Foundation’s vision that “Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life.”
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 infertility stigma, as well as diabetes and hypertension awareness.
Numerous media projects such as “Sugar-Free Jude,” “Mark’s Pressure,”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “A Ride into the Future,” and “More Than a Mother” have been developed to raise awareness about the said social and health issues.
