Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany, has reaffirmed its partnership with the University of South Wales (USW) and Learna to enhance healthcare capacity in Africa and Asia by improving access to quality healthcare solutions. As part of the long-standing partnership, Merck Foundation, led by CEO Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, visited the USW Pontypridd Campus to discuss their joint programs to increase the limited number of specialised and skilled doctors in Africa.
In the last five years, Merck Foundation, in partnership with USW and Learna, has provided scholarships to over 700 medical postgraduate students for a range of online postgraduate medical programs. The Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program intends to empower medical graduates, ultimately strengthening public healthcare capacities and enhancing clinical management in 32 critical specialties across Africa and Asia. Merck Foundation collaborates with many stakeholders including African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, Academia, policymakers, international medical societies, media and arts to raise awareness about social and health issues such as the stigma of infertility, ending child marriage, supporting girl education, stopping gender-based violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension and more.
During the visit to USW, the Merck Foundation delegation expressed their enthusiasm for the existing collaboration and their intention to further develop and strengthen the relationship in the coming years. This visit marked the first time the Merck Foundation representatives met their partners in person, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to establishing meaningful connections and working closely with their collaborators.
We are delighted to continue our partnership with the University of South Wales and Learna and further strengthen our joint efforts to build healthcare capacity in critical and underserved medical specialties, said Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. This visit represents an important milestone in our collaboration, as it allows us to meet our partners in person and explore new opportunities for future improvement. Together with USW and Learna, we are committed to making a lasting impact in the healthcare sector and improving the lives of people in Africa and underserved communities.
The visit to the University of South Wales reaffirms Merck Foundation’s dedication to advancing healthcare capacity and its determination to create sustainable change in transforming patient care landscape. The partnership between Merck Foundation, USW, and Learna will continue to drive innovation and enhance healthcare systems, improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions ultimately benefiting individuals and communities in Africa and underserved regions worldwide.
