By Ebere Agozie
Dr Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation says the foundation’s strategy and programmes are making a huge impact in the under-served communities across the world.
Kelej said this during the virtual inauguration of the 8th Edition of Merck Africa, Asia Luminary on Wednesday which had most African First Ladies and Ministers of Health in attendance.
Kelej, who is also the President of Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’, said the ongoing three day conference is to discuss strategies and solutions for health challenges across countries.
“The aim is to contribute to improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions and building healthcare capacity in many critical and underserved medical fields.
“These include diabetes, cardiovascular problems, endocrinology, cancer, research, fertility care, women health, sexual and reproductive care, respiratory medicines and acute medicines’’.
She added that more than 1100 doctors from 42 countries have benefited from Merck Foundation scholarship in the above fields and more will join in other specialties.
“These other areas include internal medicine, gastroenterology, mental health, orthopedic trauma, paediatric care, emergency medicine, dermatology, neonatal medicine, pain management, psychiatry, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases and ophthalmology, among others.
“We are working with African First ladies to provide the necessary training to establish strong platforms of experts in many important and critical specialties in their countries”.
Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation appreciated the participants for coming together in finding quality healthcare solutions and implementations to break the infertility stigma and support girl education.
He said that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been greater than many expected across the globe and that this has highlighted the importance of focusing on building and advancing healthcare capacity.
“Especially in the area of training of medical staff at all levels nationwide.
“I call on the rest of the world to join hands with us in order to realise the Merck Foundation’s vision of “Everyone in the world should lead a happy and fulfilling life’’.
Mrs Esther Lungu, First Lady of the Republic Of Zambia, in her opening remarks stressed the need for the conference to be accompanied by a monitoring framework to be able to measure progress of the journey.
His Excellency Dr Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia while declaring open the meeting said that stronger political, purposeful and strategic partnerships are key to improving health outcomes.
“As political leaders, we are accountable to our people for the decisions we make, the results we achieve and the wellbeing of all people in the world, especially in Africa.
“To achieve the sustainable development goals, there is an urgent need for innovative, dynamic and purposeful political partnerships.
“It is only through effective coordination of collective effort that we can achieve these goals,’’ he added.
