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Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com<\/a>)<\/strong>\u00a0met Merck Foundation Alumni from Zambia along with Merck Foundation Media and Fashion Award winners during her visit to Zambia; Merck foundation provides more than 80 scholarships to Zambian doctors in 32 critical and underserved specialties with the aim to improve access to equitable and quality health care solutions in the country; Merck Foundation releases a new song \u201cI am not anyone\u2019s Bride, Take me to school\u201d song by Wezi and New Children Storybook, \u201cSugar Free Jude\u201d in Zambia<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n CEO of Merck Foundation<\/strong>, the philanthropic arm\u00a0of Merck KGaA Germany met H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Zambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore than a Mother\u201d<\/strong> for the first time at the State House of Zambia, to discuss the take-off of their joint programs to break the stigma of infertility, build healthcare capacity and support girl education.<\/p>\n Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO of Merck Foundation & President of \u201cMore than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong> emphasized, \u201cIt was an honor to meet my dear sister H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Zambia<\/strong> and appoint her to be the Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>, during my visit to the State House of Zambia. The meeting was to discuss the start of our long-term partnership and the launch of our joint programs.<\/p>\n We discussed ways of helping young underprivileged Zambian girls through tertiary scholarships and grants so that they continue with their education. I am very proud of our productive meeting\u201d.<\/p>\n Merck Foundation also conducted their Annual Merck Foundation Zambia Alumni Summit<\/strong>, chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation,<\/strong> to discuss the huge impact of their programs in transforming the patient care landscape in Zambia.<\/p>\n Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej<\/strong> stated, \u201cI am very happy to meet the Merck Foundation Alumni and Merck Foundation Media & Fashion Award Winners in person for the first time after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. I am very proud of the work we are doing to transform public healthcare in Zambia. We have provided more than 80 scholarships to young doctors across Zambia<\/strong> in critical specialties such as: Fertility & Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology and Preventive Cardiovascular and more. \u00a0We will continue together with The First Lady of Zambia, our long term partner and Ambassador to scale up these numbers in order to create a stronger platform of skilled local medical professionals and strengthen the public healthcare system in Zambia and the rest of Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n During the Summit, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej<\/strong> also released Merck Foundation\u2019s new song \u201cI am not anyone\u2019s Bride, Take me to school\u201d<\/strong> to end Child Marriage and Support Girl Education, she also launched a new storybook for children \u201cSugar Free Jude\u201d<\/strong> to raise awareness about early detection & prevention of Diabetes.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very happy to share the beautiful song \u2018I am Not Anyone\u2019s Bride, Take Me to School\u2019<\/strong> by Zambian Singer Wezi.<\/strong> The song has been launched under our \u2018Educating Linda\u2019<\/strong> program, which is a part of Merck Foundation \u2018More Than a Mother\u2019 Campaign. This song aims to raise awareness and sensitize the communities about the importance of ending child marriage and supporting girls\u2019 education.<\/p>\n I am also very excited to bring to you Sugar Free Jude<\/em><\/strong>, a story that focuses on raising awareness about the importance of early detection of diabetes and its prevention\u201d, explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.<\/strong><\/p>\n Listen to \u201cI AM Not Anyone\u2019s Bride, Take Me to School\u201d Song here: https:\/\/bit.ly\/3AldygB<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Read \u201cSugar Free Jude\u201d here:<\/strong> https:\/\/bit.ly\/3PK1wmL<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation CEO also acknowledged and felicitated the Winners of Merck Foundation Awards from Zambia, and announced the Call for Applications for 2022 awards in partnership with Zambia First Lady<\/strong> for their 8 important awards for Zambian Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.<\/p>\n 2021 Winners from Zambia <\/strong>in partnership with The First Lady of Zambia, <\/strong>H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA & <\/strong>Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d <\/strong>are:<\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “Mask Up with Care” Media Recognition Awards 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “Make Your Own Mask\u201d Fashion Awards 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n The following winners of past editions of Merck Foundation Awards were recognized:<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Details of the 2022 Awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1<\/strong>. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d 2022 2<\/strong>. Merck Foundation Film Awards \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d 2022 3<\/strong>. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d 2022 4<\/strong>. Merck Foundation Song Awards \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d 2022 5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2022 \u201cDiabetes & Hypertension\u201d 6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2022 \u201cDiabetes & Hypertension\u201d \n 7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2022 \u201cDiabetes & Hypertension\u201d 8<\/strong>. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2022 \u201cDiabetes & Hypertension\u201d \u201cI invite entries from all African talents on submit@merck-foundation.com<\/strong><\/a>\u201d, concluded Senator, Dr. Kelej.<\/strong><\/p>\n For information on the above awards, on Merck Foundation\u2019s website – www.Merck-Foundation.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.<\/i><\/p>\n More images:\u00a0https:\/\/bit.ly\/3cfP5Bz<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Media contact:<\/strong> Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:<\/strong> About \u2018Merck Foundation More Than a Mother\u2019 campaign:<\/em><\/strong> With \u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother\u201d, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It\u2019s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Ambassadors of \u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother\u201d are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\nClick here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3PLpUV8<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nClick here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3QO5Pi6<\/a>)<\/strong> to view more details.)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nClick here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3KfqkBY<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nClick here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3pZnubb<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nClick here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Kf0b6l<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSubmission deadline: 30th<\/sup> October 2022. Click here<\/strong> (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3ci1gha<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSubmission deadline: 30th<\/sup> October 2022. Click here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3wOEc0L<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSubmission deadline: 30th<\/sup> October 2022. Click here (https:\/\/bit.ly\/3AJD9S4<\/a>) to view more details.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMehak Handa\u00a0
\nCommunity Awareness Program Manager\u00a0
\n+91\u00a09310087613\/ +91 9319606669\u00a0\u00a0
\nmehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nFacebook:\u00a0bit.ly\/3vKE8O2<\/a>
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\nWebsite:\u00a0Merck-Foundation.com<\/a>
\nDownload the Merck Foundation App:\u00a0bit.ly\/3v7pf5Z<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother\u201d is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-set. This powerful campaign supports in defining policies and interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility.\u00a0In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for Fertility Specialists and Embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.<\/p>\n