Break the Infertility Stigma and Support Girl Education: Merck Foundation

The Merck Foundation has called for action together with 13 African First Ladies and 27 Ministers to Build Healthcare Capacity, Break the Infertility Stigma, and Support Girl Education at their annual conference.

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) “More than a Mother” Ambassadors, African First Ladies of Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Namibia actively participated in the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary which was co-chaired by Zambia First Lady, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

The conference was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Dr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.

During the Luminary, Merck Foundation CEO & President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “ “I am very proud to have 20 African First Ladies partnered with Merck Foundation and become Ambassadors of our unique and historic campaign “Merck Foundation more than a Mother” to empower infertile women, eliminate the stigma around infertility and empower girls and women in education, in their countries. During the Luminary, the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee (MFFLI) was also conducted to discuss, follow up and monitor the ongoing programs that also include healthcare capacity building. We have so far provided scholarships in various medical specialties to 1100 Doctors from 42 countries.”

The keynote address at the 8^th edition of Merck Africa Asia Luminary was delivered by H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia along with:

• H.E. Mrs. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady Of Angola
• H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady Of Botswana
• H.E. Madam SIKA KABORE, The First Lady Of Burkina Faso
• H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady Of Burundi
• H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady Of Central African Republic
• H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
• H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady Of Ghana
• H.E. Madam DJÈNÈ CONDÉ, The First Lady Of Guinea Conakry
• H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady Of Liberia
• H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady Of Malawi
• H.E. Mrs. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady Of Mozambique and
• H.E. Mrs. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady Of Namibia

During her welcome speech, H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother stated, “I am delighted to host this prestigious conference. I am very proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation through which we have been able to achieve many outcomes in the country for the social and economic welfare of our people. Through my ambassadorship of Merck Foundation More than a Mother, we have been able to launch many initiatives to sensitize our communities about the sensitive issue of infertility and the stigma attached to it, and also emphasize the importance of girls’ education. Moreover, we are reshaping the healthcare landscape of Zambia, as together we have enrolled and provided training to more than 90 young doctors from all provinces with specialty training in the fields of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute medicines, Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Fertility and Embryology. We are scaling up to more doctors and more critical specialties such as; Paediatric, Internal Medicines, and gastroenterology.”