The proceedings of the 11th edition of the Africa Asia Conference – organized every year by Merck Foundation – were officially opened this Tuesday in Dar El Salam by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, noted the Savoir News Agency.
It was attended by Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Merck Foundation), and Dr. Rasha Kelej (CEO of the said foundation). Two former First Ladies of the Republic as well as about fifteen First Ladies of Africa were also present.
Called Merck Africa Asia Luminary, this high-level meeting aims to think of solutions for improving the health and well-being of populations on the continent. This eleventh edition coincides with the 7th anniversary of the Foundation and celebrates 12 years of the programs that the Merck Foundation has been deploying in the field of development in Africa.
A collaboration to be perpetuated
According to the President of Tanzania, it is a joy to host this prestigious meeting, a great honour to inaugurate the conference alongside the First Ladies of Africa and Asia.
“I am confident that this conference will help us achieve our common mission of improving the health and well-being of our citizens. I deeply appreciate Merck Foundation’s programs that build healthcare capacity, end the stigma of infertility and support girls’ education,” she said.
She finally called on her sisters, the first ladies, to invest not only in the well-being and empowerment of women, but also in promoting clean cooking.
Dr. Rasha Kelej thanked the President of Tanzania for her personal involvement. She also thanked the First Ladies of the continent and highlighted the commitment of the foundation alongside them.
“I am delighted that Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, is inaugurating our annual conference. I also extend my sincere thanks to our partner, the Government of Tanzania, for their unwavering support in making this conference a success. Furthermore, I am honored to welcome our guests of honor and keynote speakers, the First Ladies of African and Asian countries, who are also the ambassadors of Merck Foundation +More Than a Mother+. Together, we shared our experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, aimed at improving patient care and raising awareness on a wide range of critical health and social issues,” said Dr. Kelej.
For Prof. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp (Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Merck Foundation) “everyone can lead a healthy and happy life”, and this is the vision of the Foundation.
The day was marked by a ballet of speeches delivered by the First Ladies of Africa, guests of honor and main speakers of this luminary: Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, DRC, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zimbabwe and Zanzibar.
Supporting health decision-making in low- and middle-income countries
The proceedings continued with a high-level ministerial panel that addressed the issue of health research on the continent. The discussions identified challenges and opportunities as well as strategies to support health decision-making in low- and middle-income countries. Empowerment and capacity building of young African researchers were among the points discussed.
This panel gave way to another, which addressed the issue of infertility in couples, the evolution of care, successes in medically assisted procreation, in vitro fertilization and the challenges related to the cost of treatment, the support that insurance can provide, political will and successful initiatives on the continent.
Indian experience in training African experts was shared. Led by Prof. Oladipo Ashiru (President of the African Society for Reproductive Care), the session led to networking, an opportunity to strengthen the scientific community for greater impact.
It is worth noting that more than 6,000 healthcare providers, decision-makers and media from more than 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries are participating in the Luminaire, which is taking place in a hybrid format.
As a reminder, Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany.
Created in 2017, it aims to improve the health and well-being of populations, and advance their lives through science and technology.
Her interventions are primarily focused on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building capacity in healthcare and scientific research, empowering girls through education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. END
From Dar El Salam, Ambroisine MEMEDE
