Feature Written by Regina Jane Jere (Editor & MD) & Belinda Otas (Features Writer) at NAW Magazine
DR. RASHA KELEJ (EGYPT)
CEO of Merck Foundation
Health Campaigner
The headlines this year, have said it all and poignantly so. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit women particularly hard in what many media houses have described as the “The Parallel Pandemic.”
Many official reports have also highlighted how women have been more vulnerable to COVID-19–related social and economic effects because of existing gender inequalities, which the pandemic has exacerbated.
“Evidence shows that COVID-19 has reinforced traditional social and cultural gender norms,” says a report by the World Economic Forum. And one particular group of women routinely and perennially neglected and stigmatised are the childless, or so-called infertile women.
PROLIFIC WOMEN AND HEALTH RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER
Dr Rasha Kelej is the CEO of the Merck Foundation and a reproductive health expert behind the inspiring ‘More Than A Mother’ campaign – rallying call against female infertility stigma – for which she was recognised as one of the Most Influential Africans of 2019. The campaign, one of the most successful causes, empowers childless and infertile women through access to information, health, change of mindset, and economic empowerment. Some of Its and innovative initiatives include: Health Media Training, Media Recognition Awards, Fashion Awards, and Film Awards. Dr Kelej has also worked closely with local artists to develop local songs to break the stigma of infertility in their communities. More than 18 songs have been developed so far.
But that’s not all! Dr. Kelej has in her capacity as CEO of Merck Foundation, also developed many other impactful programs such as the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI), Merck Capacity Advancement Program, Merck Cancer Access Program, Merck Foundation Diabetes Blue Points Program, and Merck STEM for women and youth. These programs are focused on building healthcare capacity and improving access to health and empowering women and girls through education in Africa and other developing countries.
In a challenging year that was 2020, Dr. Kelej remained steadfast in her work, and led the Merck Foundation COVID -19 response in Africa, with the focus on four major areas: community support; online education for health-care providers in six different fields (diabetes, cardiovascular, sexual and reproductive health, endocrinology, respiratory and acute medicines); community awareness through “Stay at Home“ Media Recognition Awards; and community awareness through a children’s storybook The Right Choice.
TRAINING DOCTORS
In the midst of the pandemic, Dr. Kelej has also spearheaded an online training of 400 doctors from 25 African countries and 10 in Asia – an important impact in a challenging time. “It has been more important than ever to build capacity and training of doctrine doctors. In some of these countries, they have never had not even one oncologist, for example. They may have the general practitioner, but they don’t have this type of specialised doctors.
During this difficult period, we have therefore provided a one-year online Diploma in Respiratory Medicine, acute medicine, endocrinology diabetes, and cardiovascular health,” she explains.
“Our strategy and our program have been crystal clear – to invest in health care providers. And helping train skilled doctors in the midst of this pandemic, has made a big difference,” she adds.
In the meantime, Dr. Kelej also produced and directed an inspiring pan- African song called My White Army’ as her personal contribution to thank the doctors and nurses fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle. The song, featuring singers from 11 African countries in three languages Arabic, English, and French has been received to high acclaim across the continent.
SENATE APPOINTMENT
In November 2020, Dr Rasha was among 100 Egyptian experts appointed to the Senate council by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. She will be one of the advisers on economic, social, and health development.
HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL? WE ASKED HER:
“I think one of the most important factors that keeps the Merck Foundation strong and continuing with our programs even during this pandemic is that we establish very strong partnerships, and trust levels with our partners. And this has been the case long before COVID-19,” she says adding:
“On a personal level, I can say that I don’t fall under pressure, no matter the challenge. That is just my personality. I don’t break, I transform and I have this work/life fusion, in which my life and work are totally fused. With any challenge I face, I just keep the same energy levels. I transform to a different shape and mode. And for me, new challenges give me an opportunity to be innovative. COVID-19 was unexpected and unpredicted, but it helped us to transform and prepare ourselves to be innovative.”
As we enter into an uncertain 2021, Dr Kelej remains characteristically optimistic and hopeful, as she looks forward to breaking new ground. “I’m very optimistic. And with my new position in the Egyptian Senate and what President El- Sisi is doing for Africa, I am hopeful that, while I continue with my work, I can utilise and capitalise on this opportunity of being in the Senate and make an impact. There are lots of opportunities for working with African and Egyptian youth, and I want to explore these opportunities with them, this coming year.”
Put simply, yet aptly, Dr Rasha Kelej, is truly a force of nature and one of Africa’s unsung ‘sheroes’ of women’s empowerment and health advocates. Here at the NAW, we will be right behind this inspirational woman, all the way.
