Merck Foundation provides 2080 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has commended first ladies, healthcare providers, government officials, academia and the media of 70 countries in Africa and Asia for partnering with it to provide healthcare and capacity building interventions in the regions. Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees gave […]

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has commended first ladies, healthcare providers, government officials, academia and the media of 70 countries in Africa and Asia for partnering with it to provide healthcare and capacity building interventions in the regions.

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees gave the commendation during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary conference held virtually and physically in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers and media from over 70 countries attended the luminary through the hybrid model. The First Ladies of 15 countries attended the event.

Haverkamp said Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 per cent of the world’s disease burden, has only two healthcare workers per 10,000 hectares.

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He said the shortage of medical and healthcare manpower has been a crucial limiting factor on the continent, adding that good health care will transform the lives of individuals and families across developing countries.

He said, “It significantly contributes to the economic and social development of any country because health care is a major driver of those particular economic developments. By investing in healthcare, we are investing in the future of our nations. As we used to do every year, I am very glad that today we are celebrating together two very important occasions; the 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 12 years of our journey of building healthcare capacity and developing programs, since 2012. Always from strength to strength.”

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, said the foundation has provided more than 2080 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties including diabetes, endocrinology, oncology, cardiovascular, fertility care, embryology, internal medicine, respiratory medicine, critical care, among others.

She said, “I am incredibly proud to share that doctors from 52 countries across Africa and Asia have been trained to become specialists in fields such as oncology, fertility, assisted reproductive technologies, and many more.”

She said it was aimed at contributing to improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions and building healthcare capacity in many critical and underserved medical fields.

She highlighted that the foundation initiated the approach to build and enhance healthcare capacity in 2012, in partnership with African First Ladies together with ministries of health and medical societies.

While saying that this has significantly contributed towards reshaping the public healthcare sector and transforming patient care landscape in Africa, Asia and beyond, she said “We will continue working closely with all of you to realise our vision and lead the world toward a better future.”

Inaugurating the conference, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan said, “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.”

The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, Monica Chakwera said the partnership has continued to grow stronger each year. She said, “As a part of the Merck Foundation Educating Linda programme, we have sponsored the education of 60 best-performing girls in their secondary schools till they graduate. To date, we have provided more than 48 scholarships of one year diploma and two-year master’s degree to young Malawian doctors in critical medical specialties.”

The First Lady of Republic of Ghana and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, said her country is advancing healthcare capacity through the long-term partnership with Merck Foundation.