Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa in DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s Merck Foundation More than a Mother Ambassador, left a lasting impression at the 7th Merck Foundation conference in Dubai, showcasing her well-detailed, life-changing initiatives in the health, education, and media sectors.
Dr Mnangagwa’s outstanding work earned her plaudits from Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr Rasha Kelej and the Board of Trustees Chairman, Professor Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, who commended her for initiating breath-taking projects through their fruitful partnership.
The highly esteemed summit, attended by 14 First Ladies from Africa and Asia, saw them taking turns to share their success stories, with Dr Mnangagwa’s experience making her an epitome of inspiration through accomplishments which are a result of the strong partnership between her Angel of Hope Foundation and Merck Foundation.
A documentary detailing her work and social interventions was screened, giving the world a glimpse into her efforts to transform lives in Zimbabwe through her all-inclusive approach.
The documentary captured evidence of the First Lady’s inclusive and multi-pronged empowerment initiatives, which have given a new lease of life, especially to women and girls in Zimbabwe including the establishment of a female prison in Marondera the first of its kind in the SADC region.
The country’s Merck Foundation More than a Mother Ambassador said their partnership is refreshing and yielding tangible results.
“I am deeply grateful for the collaboration and support between the Angel of Hope Foundation and the Merck Foundation.
“I am proud to share that, to date, we have provided 130 scholarships for our local Zimbabwean doctors across critical specialities essential for our country’s healthcare system,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa provided a breakdown of the 130 scholarships, stating that 56 have been awarded to doctors specialising in Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Obesity and Weight Management.
Dr Mnangagwa said a further 34 scholarships have been granted in fertility and embryology, and a one-year diploma and two-year master’s degree programmes in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care.
The First Lady said another 40 scholarships have been awarded in critical yet underserved specialities, including Oncology and Cancer Care, Respiratory Care, Acute Medicine, Pain Management, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Neuroimaging for Research, Paediatrics, Critical Care, Geriatric Care, and Rheumatology.
Dr Mnangagwa also shared that under the Educating Linda programme, 40 underprivileged but deserving Zimbabwean schoolgirls are supported each year through the provision of school fees and other essentials until they graduate.
“We have received and distributed storybooks to thousands of schoolchildren. These storybooks have been creatively adapted into engaging animation films.
“We conducted five editions of the Merck Foundation Health Media Training and Awards for journalists. Over 50 media professionals have won awards,” she said.
The First Lady also shared about initiatives she is spearheading as a mother-to-child hospital and the establishment of a female open prison in Marondera, which is a first of its kind in the SADC region.
Dr Mnangagwa also talked about her ultramodern mobile clinic which is reaching all the parts of the country including the remotest ones.
Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr Kelej saluted the First Ladies for the sterling work they are doing in their respective countries while singling out Dr Mnangagwa’s outstanding efforts as a clear product of hard work, dedication, and selflessness.
Dr Kelej said even the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc worldwide, failed to stop the success stories achieved by nations such as Zimbabwe since their partnership which began in 2019.
“When we started our partnership, we couldn’t imagine that we could achieve all this in such a short time. Corona came immediately after we started our partnership. We thought that Corona would suspend everything, but no we continued working together, calling each other.
“We achieved this amazing milestone the scholarships of 130 it’s a total transformation of the healthcare landscape.
“You made history in Zimbabwe by creating the first specialists in many fields within the health sector,” she said.
Merck Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Professor Dr Stangenberg-Haverkamp said their wish is for the life-changing initiatives to continue growing each year.
“Her Excellencies gave the review of their work, which was always tuned to the specific country.
“But all the reviews were extremely helpful and showed that a lot has been achieved. It was really a fantastic review of what we have done up to now.
“Of course, there is more to come. Next year we will meet again and have another go at it. I am quite sure we all want to have new developments,” he said.
First Lady of Cabo Verde, Dr Debora Katisa Carvalho, also shared her journey, including training in housekeeping and initiating debates that are changing mindsets in her nation.
First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, said that through her Lordina Foundation, she is keen to strengthen the partnership with the Merck Foundation to enhance health and education activities while combating stigma across Ghana.
“This foundation and its work have focused on health education, particularly health infrastructure, supporting women’s empowerment, supporting orphans and vulnerable children, and providing health screenings for women and elderly men and women in our communities.
“I am grateful to the Merck Foundation for its strong commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and empowering individuals.”
The partnership expansion builds on the Merck Foundation’s existing impact in Ghana, where 210 Ghanaian doctors have benefited from the organisation’s medical training scholarship programme.
First Lady of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, also shared her experience, including opening a cancer centre and seeking health professionals.
The interface between the First Ladies also provided them with a platform to learn from each other’s experiences while exchanging notes.
Dr Mnangagwa has become synonymous with the empowerment of communities, especially women, to restore their dignity and ensure they respectably raise their families without resorting to social vices such as prostitution.
The 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit, which began on Wednesday under the theme “Together We Make a Difference,” concluded on Thursday.
