Africa’s healthcare landscape is being reshaped by homegrown specialists trained through the Merck Foundation, with doctors from all over Africa now offering specialized care in their communities that was previously out of reach.
Speaking at the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto lauded the Foundation’s role in empowering girls and healthcare workers thus transforming communities.
“Since 2012, Merck Foundation has provided 244 scholarships for Kenyan doctors, 50 percent of them women, this is an extraordinary milestone that will leave a lasting impact on the quality and accessibility of healthcare across our nation.”
The first lady also lauded the foundation’s ‘Educating Linda’ Program which sponsors brilliant young girls who are underprivileged. “Every girl in Kenya and across Africa deserves the opportunity to pursue her dreams, to see herself as a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, a scientist, a pastor or any other profession she aspires to, it is our duty to break down every barrier that stands in the way of girls attending school.”
Among the beneficiaries of Merck Foundation is Dr. Elijah Mwaura Chege, who in 2023 became the first formally trained urologist in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, after completing a Master of Surgery in Urology at the University of Edinburgh, after his graduation he brought his services to his local community
“Before this opportunity, patients in my region had to travel long distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometers to access specialized urological care. Many endured pain in silence. Some never made the journey, but today I am able to offer solutions at home where it’s most needed. This is more than a degree. It’s the power to restore dignity.”
He added, “This milestone was made possible through the support of the Merck Foundation, by mentoring the next generation of Kenyan surgeons, Colleagues, Merck Foundation is helping to write a new narrative where people with urological issues get accessible and convenient help in the county where I work.
Just across the border in Tanzania, Dr Nicholaus Stephen Mazuguni, another Merck Foundation beneficiary, has opened the first fertility clinic owned by a local doctor after specialized training in India, his clinic has transformed fertility services in the region resulting in 600 In vitro fertilization (IVF) babies.
In order to give back Dr Mazuguni decided to mentor others, “We have been involved in terms of mentorship to other clinicians from various parts of our country and the mentorship has really gone far to an extent that we have managed to collaborate with the government and are able to establish the first public IVF in Tanzania.”
According to Dr. Rasha Kelej Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation- the aim is to sponsor even more doctors so as to ensure healthcare access in Africa and strengthen the continents’ healthcare systems.
“Our scholarships are in over 44 critical specialties are addressing Africa’s dire shortage of medical specialists, and we are proud of the significant impact this has made.” she said
“Since 2012 we have offered 2,520 scholarships. These scholarships have supported doctors from 52 countries across Africa and South Asia.”
The summit celebrated Merck Foundation’s 8th anniversary, showcasing the efforts made in training over 1,800 healthcare providers across 50 countries in reproductive health, oncology, and diabetes thus advancing the continents healthcare systems and strengthening women’s empowerment.
