Merck Foundation has awarded 2 600 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries, including Malawi as part of its efforts to address shortages of specialists and improve access to quality healthcare services.

Speaking during the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, Merck Foundation chief executive officer Rasha Kelej, who is also “More Than a Mother” campaign president and Luminary, said the scholarships have supported training in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

She said the scholarships have helped to strengthen fertility care services and improve access to women’s health in 42 countries.

“I am pleased to share that of the 2 600+ scholarships provided by Merck Foundation, more than 800 scholarships have been for healthcare providers in the fields of fertility, embryology, sexual and reproductive medicine, clinical psychiatry, women’s health, urology, laparoscopic surgical skills, and family Medicine,” said Kelej.

The 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary also marked two major milestones; the 9th anniversary of Merck Foundation, and 14 years since the organisation started its development programmes in 2012.

The opening session of the conference brought together First Ladies from Africa and Asia as key guests and ambassadors of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.

On his part, Merck Foundation Board of Trustees chairman Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp commended the First Ladies, ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers and partners for supporting the foundation’s programmes.

“At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia and beyond,” he said.

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