By Kuda Pembere recently in Mumbai, India
Over 100 scholarships to study in the underserved medical specialties such as fertility, embryology, respiratory medicine, oncology amongst others have been availed to Zimbabwean doctors under the Merck Foundation scholarship program, Zimbabwe’s First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa said.
She said this during a Merck Foundation Africa-Asia Luminary last week in Mumbai, India.
This is for the first time in Zimbabwe that we work on such an impactful program, it is history in the making. Through our long term partnership and as the ambassador of Merck Foundation More than a Mother, we have provided more than 100 scholarships to young Zimbabwean doctors in 32 critical underserved specialties including fertility and embryology, diabetes, oncology, sexual and reproductive care, respiratory medicine, acute medicine and clinical microbiology and infectious diseases management, neonatal care, psychiatric, emergency pediatric, orthopedic, trauma and more,” the First Lady said.
“We recognise the magnitude of the involvement of this complement and we hold it in high regard.”
She added, “I would like to give you a summary of the scholarships. Out of the 100 scholarships we received in Zimbabwe, 31 have been provided for fertility, embryology in one year diploma and a two year Masters diploma im sexual and reproductive care.”
The chief executive officer (CEO)of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej said the10 year celebration comes at a time where over 1 700 scholarships have been availed to African and Asian doctors.
“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 1700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more.
“Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Many of these scholarships were conducted in India where a state of art clinical training was provided at the prestigious training institutions of our partners such as Tata Memorial Center, Manipal University, Maharashtra University, Krishna University, Indra IVF Training and more. Therefore, we are very happy to be this year in India to celebrate our 10 years partnership with our respectable Indian partners”, said Senator Kelej.
Senator Kelej also noted that 138 doctors have received scholarships in oncology.
“More Than a Mother” Campaign , for our annual conference that we have conducted first time in India. Together, we shared experiences and discussed the impact of our programs to transform patient care and raise awareness on a wide range of sensitive and critical social and health. Today we are also marking together Cancer Awareness Month, it is great to remember that Merck Foundation provided 138 scholarships of Oncology Training in many sub-specialties to doctors from 37 African countries, many of them have become the first oncologists in their countries. We are making history together in Africa, with our Ambassadors, First Ladies of Africa and our partners, Tata Hospital and Krishna University,” she said.
