By IJEOMA UKAZU
To commemorate the 2022 World Health Day, Merck Foundation the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with 20 African First Ladies has announced eight important awards on health and social issues for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.
Making this known in a statement made available to The Daily Newswave online, CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej states that the foundation contributes to the development of Africa in key sectors such as health, education, awareness, and economic empowerment and has
provided more than 1300 scholarships for doctors from 50 countries.
Sharing her thoughts, Senator Kelej, expressed that “Every day at Merck Foundation is about Health and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in our beloved African continent and other countries.
“Merck Foundation works closely with partners that are; African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Education, Information and Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health and social issues.”
She added that Merck Foundation is making history and legacy in Africa by training the first Fertility specialists, Embryology, Oncologists, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Respiratory experts and more in many countries. Merck Foundation programs have greatly contributed to building professional healthcare capacity through providing more than 1300 scholarships to doctors from 50 countries. Scholarships of one year, two-year and three-year Diploma and Master degree in more than 32 critical and underserved specialties are provided to these doctors.”
This year on World Health Day, Merck foundation announce two themes of Awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers.
The themes of the two categories of awards are – 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. “I look forward to receiving all your exciting entries”, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized.
Merck Foundation was recently recognized as the 2022 NGO of the Year and the Most Influential NGO in Africa through its collective efforts is shaping Africa’s future.