(Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees during the launch Program in Botswana)
Merck Foundation officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2018 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education, stop GBV in Botswana and the rest of Africa. The program took place in esteemed presence of The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and myself.
It was a great honor to meet H.E. The President of Republic of Botswana, and our long-term partner and my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Republic of Botswana and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to officially launch the Merck Foundation Programs in the country, and to underscore our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, ending GBV, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.
Merck Foundation has provided 1810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties. In a very short time, we have been able to provide 46 scholarships to our young doctors in many specialties which are very critical for us. Out of the total 46 scholarships provided in Botswana, 19 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity & Weight Management, for Batswana doctors from different provinces across the country, which is very important to improve access to quality and equitable diabetes and hypertension patient care not only in Gaborone but nationwide. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities, 12 scholarships have been provided for Acute Medicine, Respiratory Care, Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and more as part of Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program, 5 Scholarships have been provided for Oncology to develop and support the cancer care capacity in the country and the 10 scholarships have been provided to doctors in Fertility and one-year PG Diploma and two-year Master degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine. This is a huge number that will advance women’s health in the country. We are proud of our achievements together.
I am also very happy to share that together with e First Her Excellency The First Lady of Botswana, we are also supporting girl education by providing scholarships and bicycles for 40 schoolgirls to cover their transportation and other education expenses so that they can reach their potentials and achieve their dreams. Merck Foundation is also working closely with Botswana First Lady to inspire girls and sensitize communities about the importance of girl education. As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation will sponsor the education of 20 deserving schoolgirls, till they graduate. Moreover, Merck Foundation also provided 20 bicycles to encourage girls to continue going to the school, as they sometimes dropout due to long distances. We also visited together with The First Lady of Botswana to the schools in the country to meet the beneficiaries of Sewing machines donation and witness their success. I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger & prosperous.
During the Summit, Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony was held, during which 7 Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards were acknowledged by Merck Foundation Chairman with Botswana First Lady and myself. Additionally, Merck Foundation Health Media Training was conducted in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana for the journalists in Botswana, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Diabetes and Hypertension awareness. Apart from this, the Call for Application for 8 important Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana were announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields Merck Foundation. The training program was also addressed by prominent Medical & Media Experts and Government Officials.
Together with The First Lady of Botswana, we signed a few copies of their different children’s storybooks titled: “More Than a Mother” created for children and youth to emphasize and strengthen family values of love and respect from an early age; “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence, to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure” to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes & Hypertension. Thousands of copies of these storybooks are going to be distributed to school students of Botswana.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign
