How Merck Foundation, Burundi First Lady partner on healthcare, support women and girl-child education

Merck Foundation CEO and Burundi First Lady met at the 9th Edition of ‘Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022’ to approve their future strategy and announce their impact report and call for action to build healthcare capacity and empower women and girls in Burundi.

It part of Merck Foundation’s transformation of the patient care landscape and making history together with Burundi First lady and other partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, and Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”.

Also present were First Ladies of Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Zambia, Angola and Central Africa.

Senator Kelej emphasized: “Our long-term partnership with my dear sister, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” started in 2020 and have achieved a lot in a very short time since then.

“We had a long meeting during 9th edition of our Luminary to discuss our joint programmes and strategy and report its impact and we will meet soon in Burundi to follow up on our impact and ongoing programs together in the country.

“I am proud to share that together we have provided 51 scholarships to our local doctors in critical and underserved specialties such as diabetes, endocrinology, preventative cardiovascular medicine, oncology, fertility and embryology, sexual and reproductive care, acute care, and respiratory care.

“I am looking forward to transforming patient care in Burundi through our long-term partnership.”

The First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” said: “Our partnership started in 2020 and I have already seen the impact of Merck Foundation programmes in my country, in a very short span.

“I am proud to share that we have established the first public IVF centre in our country and Merck Foundation has provided training for fertility specialists, embryologists and also technicians, who are the first local experts in Burundi.

“It is indeed history in the making, the first IVF center, first local specialists and for the first time, infertile couples are getting treatment and medical advice in their home country.

“I am also very happy to initiate Merck Foundation’s important program “Educating Linda” through which we sponsor the education of 20 best-performing girls in their secondary schools every year. This is a very important initiative to empower our girls in education”.

On day two of the luminary, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative-MFFLI committee meeting was also conducted between the first ladies and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO.

During the MFFLI committee meeting, the future strategy of 2023 was discussed and the impact of their partnership programs since 2020, were announced.

“I personally enjoyed our reading session of children’s storybooks created by Merck Foundation, ‘Jackline’s Rescue’ – to focus on the importance of girl education and highlight the immoral practices of society including child marriage and dowry system; and ‘A Ride Into The Future’ – to emphasise the importance of empowering girls through education.

“It was my favourite part of MFFLI committee, I hope we keep doing this every year,” Senator Rasha Kelej said.