By Kuda Pembere
Following training in critical specialties through scholarships awarded by the Merck Foundation, African doctors are now seeing around 1,000 patients each month, significantly reducing the disease burden in their communities.
Previously, many of these patients had nowhere to go for specialized care.
Speaking at the Merck Foundation First Lades Initiative in Dubai, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Dr. Rasha Kelej said the training programs have played a transformative role in Africa’s health sector.
“We have provided scholarships to doctors from 52 countries—primarily in Africa and some in Asia—covering 44 critical and sensitive medical specialties. Just to name a few, these include oncology, fertility, diabetes, hypertension, sexual and reproductive medicine, internal medicine, respiratory medicine, acute medicine, critical care, pediatric emergency, gastroenterology, rheumatology, clinical psychiatry, urology, ophthalmology, general surgery, trauma, and orthopedics. Many of these countries had no specialists in these fields before,” she said.
“This is a great achievement because it has truly transformed the healthcare landscape in Africa and parts of Asia, where the need for such expertise is immense.”
Dr. Kelej added that these trained doctors are now attending to over 1,000 patients each month, especially in areas dealing with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“These are patients who previously had no access to specialized care. The graduates of our programs are now making a tangible difference by treating thousands of patients monthly across multiple disciplines,” she emphasized.
Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, applauded the Merck Foundation’s initiatives for strengthening Africa’s socio-economic development through healthcare.
“I would like to end by telling my dear sister, Dr. Rasha Kelej, that I hope our relationship remains strong as we continue to save lives. Let us create a lasting impact for future generations. I am truly looking forward to exchanging ideas with all my dear sisters here today,” she said.
