Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck Germany, has reiterated its commitment to improve healthcare across Africa and Asia.

To see the realisation of this mandate, the foundation is planning to conduct the 6th Edition of “Merck Africa Asia Luminary” in Accra, which will be co-chaired by H.E. Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo, The First Lady of Ghana and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, according to a press release copied to Ghana Business News.

According to the CEO, the foundation is collaborating with some leaders to improve healthcare across the continent and Asia.

“Together with First Ladies of Africa and Ministers of different sectors, we will work on strong strategy to build healthcare capacity and provide the necessary training to establish a strong platform of experts in Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancer and Fertility care in their countries and define interventions to break infertility stigma”, she said.

Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized that during the two days Luminary, the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee will be conducted to discuss different topics , follow up, monitoring and take some critical decisions.

The release also indicated that, in order to contribute to the social and economic development of Africa and Asia during the luminary, more than 1000 Healthcare providers, policy makers, academia, researchers and health media from Sub- Saharan Africa, more than 60 English, French and Portuguese speaking countries will benefit from valuable educational and social development sessions by top International experts in Diabetes, Fertility, Oncology and women health, Cardiology with the aim to raise health awareness and improve disease management, early detection and prevention, build healthcare capacity and improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions across the continent .

It said, during the Inauguration Session a High–Level Ministerial Panel will be conducted where the Ministers of Health, Information, Gender, Education & Science will share solutions and activities to help in Building Healthcare Capacity. Also, there will be a discussion about the challenges & solutions of Infertility, Oncology, Diabetes and Hypertension care in Africa and Asia.

The luminary which comes off on 29th & 30th of October 2019, will also announce winners of the ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ Media Recognition, Fashion and Film Awards of Ghana.

African and Asian Countries participating include: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM