Burundi First Lady partners with Merck Foundation to empower girls in education, and break the infertility stigma

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BUJUMBURA, Burundi. The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye, has partnered with Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education, and break the infertility stigma.

During a high-level meeting held between Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, and the Burundi First Lady, the Merck Foundation underscored its long-term commitment to continue its efforts to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education, and break the infertility stigma in Burundi.

Burundi First Lady Appointed as Ambassador of Merck Foundation

The First Lady of Burundi was also appointed as the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother during the meeting.

Merck Foundation partners with Burundi First Lady to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education and break the infertility stigma. (Source: Merck Foundation)

“I am very happy to partner with Merck Foundation and excited to capitalize on their valuable programs in our country. These programs will create a very significant impact on our people’s advancement, as health is very critical to our social and economic development,” said H.E. Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye.

The First Lady added that “As the Ambassador of Merck More than a Mother, I will work closely with Merck Foundation to sensitize our communities to better understand infertility and empower women through access to education, information, health, and change of mindset and also empower our girls through education”.

During the meeting, Dr. Rasha Kelej, officially welcomed the First Lady to the foundation.

“I am very proud of our partnership with Burundi First Lady and welcome her as the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother and new member of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative-MFFLI,” said Dr. Rasha.

“We have discussed our long-term collaboration and partnership with her Foundation and Ministry of Health & Ministry of Education to build healthcare capacity in Burundi, by providing training to doctors in the fields of Cancer, Fertility, and Diabetes care,” added the Foundation CEO.

Dr. Rasha noted that the partnership will go along way to create a strong medical army in Burundi especially after the outbreak of the global pandemic.

Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) VC Summit

The Burundi First Lady had also attended Merck Foundation’s first Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) VC Summit held last month, which was attended by a total of 13 African First Ladies and introduced her development programs in Burundi.

Merck Foundation has conducted its capacity building programs in Burundi for the past three years through their partnership with the Burundi government and Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E. Madam Denise Nkurunziza

Merck Foundation Provides Speciality Training to Doctors

According to a press release, the Foundation has also provided specialized training to more than 31 doctors from Burundi and will continue doing so for the next 10 years plan.

The Foundation made history by providing training to the first oncologist and fertility specialists and embryologists in Burundi.

Merck Foundation says that 10 doctors have completed the fertility and embryology training, and together with Burundi First Lady, more doctors will be trained to improve access to quality and equitable fertility care in the country.

Other than fertility and embryology training, the Foundation has provided Diabetes care training to twenty doctors.

“After completion of the training, these doctors should be able to establish a diabetes clinic in his/her Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their respective communities,” read the press release.

“We will continue our new important Program “Educating Linda”, in partnership with the First Lady of Burundi together with the Ministry of Education. Under this program, we have sponsored 20 girls in 2019 and will sponsor the education of 20 best-performing girls in their secondary schools this year and for the next 10 years. We strongly believe that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment”, added Dr. Rasha Kelej, One of 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020).

Merck Foundation also announced a winner from Burundi for their “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards from French-speaking African countries.

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