Merck Foundation CEO Meets Burundi President and First Lady to Underscore Their Partnership to Train Doctors and Media and Support Girl Education in Burundi

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany met H.E. ÉVARISTE NDAYISHIMIYE, The President of Republic of Burundi, during a high-level meeting, to discuss impact of their programs which started in the country, in partnership with H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” together with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education of Burundi.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “I was a great honor to meet H.E. ÉVARISTE NDAYISHIMIYE, The President of Republic of Burundi and share with him the impact of our programs that aim to transform patient care, build healthcare and media capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education in Burundi and the rest of Africa. Moreover, we officially launched our programs in partnership with my dear sister, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” which started since started in 2020. We have achieved a lot in a very short time since then. I am proud to share that together with Merck Foundation and in partnership with Ministry of Health of Burundi, we provided 51 scholarships to our local doctors in critical and underserved specialties such as Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Oncology, Fertility & Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Health care, Acute care, and Respiratory care. I am looking forward to transforming patient care in Burundi through our long-term partnership.”

H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” emphasized during the Summit, “I am very happy to meet and host Merck Foundation CEO and her team in our country. We started our joint programs in 2020 and are happy to officially launch these important programs, and also celebrate an important milestone of success and impact. We worked hard together with Merck Foundation over the past three years to make history by providing specialty training to first specialists in many fields in public sector hence transforming patent care landscape in our country. I am proud to share that we have established the first public IVF center in our country and Merck Foundation has provided training for their staff which include: Fertility Specialists, Embryologists and also technicians to become the first local experts in the first public IVF center in Burundi. It is indeed history in the making, the first IVF center, first local specialists and for the first time, infertile couples are getting treatment and medical advice in their home country.”

Dr. Rasha Kelej further added, “I am proud to share that out of the total 51 scholarships, we have together provided 35 scholarships for Diabetes Master course and PG Diplomas in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine. This has provided Burundi with its very first diabetes center which has been established by one of the graduates of Merck Foundation Master course.”

“For the Diabetes Master course in French and English, one young doctor from each province in Burundi has been enrolled. After completion, these Doctors can establish diabetes clinics in their respective Health centers or Hospitals with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their respective communities,” Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej continued.

Moreover, during the launch program, Merck Foundation Burundi Annual Summit and Awards Ceremony was held, during which Merck Foundation CEO together with Burundi First Lady met and acknowledged the Merck Foundation Graduates and the Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The Burundi First Lady has also initiated “Educating Linda” Program, which is very important for Burundi girls as through this program, scholarships are provided to 20 underprivileged but brilliant girls to continue their education till they graduate. Additionally, Merck Foundation distributed 3000 essential school items sets to school-going girls to support them.

Moreover, Merck Foundation CEO together with The First Lady of Burundi launched and signed together seven children’s storybooks titled: “David’s story” to emphasize and strengthen family values of love and respect from an early age, “Educating FIFI” to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education, “Make the Right Choice” to raise awareness about coronavirus prevention amongst children and youth, “Jackline’s Rescue” to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education, “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence, “Ride into the Future” to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and “Sugar free Jude” to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes. Thousands of copies of these storybooks have been distributed to school students of Burundi in partnership with Ministry of Education of Burundi.

Senator Rasha Kelej said, “It was lovely meeting and acknowledging our Merck Foundation Alumni who graduated to become the future healthcare experts of Burundi. It was also a pleasure to felicitate the Winners of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Merck Foundation Awards from Burundi and discuss with them the critical role they can play to create a culture shift and to be the voice of the voiceless to be Merck Foundation health and social champions.”

Burundi winners of Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE & Ambassador of Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ are:

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2022

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2023. Click here to view more details.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2023. Click here to view more details.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2023. Click here to view more details.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023 All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2023. Click here to view more details.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention & early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2023. Click here to view more details.

6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2023. Click here to view more details.

7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2023. Click here to view more details.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2023. Click here to view more details.