Andrew
Online Reporter
PHILANTHROPIC organisation, Merck Foundation, has trained more than 370 doctors in specialised areas of women’s health.
Of the 370 who have received scholarships to study reproductive and sexual care and fertility care capacity, about 170 are from Zimbabwe.
Responding to questions from The Sunday Mail, Merck Foundation CEO, Dr Raja Kelej, said the scholarships are covering one-year diplomas and two-year master’s programmes.
“I am proud that we have provided more than 370 scholarships to doctors from 37 countries, with the aim to advance women’s health, reproductive and sexual care and fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.
“However, Merck Foundation has provided more than 550 scholarships out of a total 1 200 to female doctors in 42 countries, these are scholarships of one-year diploma and two-year master degree in underserved and critical specialties such as; respiratory care, endocrinology, fertility, cardiovascular preventive, oncology and more with the aim to empower women in STEM,” she said.
Dr Kelej said they are supporting childless women by giving them seed capital to start their own businesses.
“It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the support she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,” she said.
To date they have also trained over 2 000 media representatives from more than 35 countries, to raise community awareness and break the infertility stigma around women and support girls’ education and address other social issues related to women’s empowerment such as gender equality, girls’ education, stopping GBV (gender-based violence), ending child marriage and stopping FGM (female genital mutilation).
Online Reporter