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First Lady hails Merck Foundation

First Lady Monica Chakwera has hailed Merck Foundation for its support in the health sector.

She said this on Tuesday during a virtual conference of the Eighth Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.

Chakwera said the foundation’s support to Malawi includes providing 19 scholarships to doctors for one-year.

“In addition, nine doctors and nurses are enrolling for oncology and fertility training in May and October 2021 in India or as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic diminishes,” she said.

Chakwera: More doctors will get scholarships

Chakwera said through the Ministry of Health, more doctors will be registering into different programmes courtesy of Merck Foundation.

In her remarks, Merck Foundation chief executive officer Rasha Kelej pledged continued support to different countries, including Malawi.

“We want to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions and building healthcare capacity in the fields of diabetes, fertility, oncology, women health and cardiology, among others,” she said.

Over 1 100 doctors from 42 countries have benefited from Merck Foundation scholarship in different medical fields.

Through the Ministry of Education, 40 best-performing girls in secondary schools in Malawi have been awarded scholarships under Merck’s Educating Linda Programme.

The conference was held in partnership with the Government of Zambia.

The meeting drew first ladies from 13 African countries, including Botswana, Mozambique Zimbabwe, Ghana and Nigeria

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