Merck KGaA commits to continued partnership with Ugandan Government

Merck KGaA has revealed plans to continue its commitment to a key partnership with the Ugandan Government via its non-profit subsidiary Merck Foundation to build healthcare capacity and treatment access in the region, particularly in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and infertility.

The German firm’s dedication to the ‘Merck more than a mother’ project, which began in 2012, was confirmed in a meeting between Ugandan Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and Secretary of State Sarah Opendi and representatives from Merck, including Executive Board Chairman Professor Frank Strangenberg-Haverkamp and CEO of Merck Foundation Dr Rasha Kelej.

Together with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Merck has implemented a number of income-generating initiatives in support of infertile women in the country, building awareness, support and overall health through treatment. The foundation also dedicated itself to the support of embryologists and fertility specialists at the new Women Maternal Hospital, as well as the establishment of the country’s first public IVF centre to provide regulated and cost-effective fertility care.

"Raising awareness about male infertility is very important to change the culture as the infertility affects women and men equally and yet women are the one who been solely blamed, discriminated and mistreated in their communities," Kelej explained. "The campaign will address this topic and encourage men to discuss openly their infertility and share the journey of infertility diagnosis and treatment with their wives."

She added: "Through Merck Cancer Access Program, Merck Foundation will continue doing what they do best: building cancer care capacity through providing one, two and three year oncology fellowship programs to doctors and technicians in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Uganda with the aim of increasing the limited number of oncologists in the country and across Africa."