MAURITIUS – Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, has underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity through providing one-year PG Diploma and two-year Master Degree in many critical and underserved specialties for doctors from Mauritius.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck Foundation More Than a Mother explained, “I am very proud that in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Mauritius, we have provided till today 71 scholarships of one-year diploma and two-years master degree in many critical and underserved specialties for young Mauritian doctors with the aim to transform the landscape of patient care in the country”.
32 Medical graduates have been enrolled in the fields of Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Sexual & Reproductive Medicine.
Another 39 medical graduates have been already selected to be enrolled in PG Diploma courses in many new underserved specialties including Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies, Orthopedic Trauma Science, Paediatric, and Emergency Medicine.
The medics will also be trained in Advanced Surgical Practice, Dermatology, Neonatal Medicine, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Clinical Microbiology & infectious diseases and Ophthalmology.
Internal Medicine, Neuroimaging for research, Urology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Cancer and Clinical Oncology, Critical Care, General Surgery, and Orthopedic & Trauma have also been considered.
“We will continue launching other programs to raise awareness and build advocacy to support girl education and address health issues such as raising awareness about coronavirus through Media Training and Media Recognition Awards for Media representative in Mauritius”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation, through their Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Campaign, is also working to raise awareness about infertility prevention, male infertility and define interventions to break infertility stigma and support girl education in the country.
Also, Merck Foundation has been raising awareness about coronavirus and how to keep safe and healthy during the global pandemic.
Merck Foundation Health Media Training will soon be conducted for the Mauritian journalists, to educate them, particularly the young journalists, on how to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless in order to eliminate the stigma of infertility and emphasize the importance of girls’ education, through their day to day work.
Moreover, to underscore the important role that media, art, fashion, music, and film plays in raising awareness about sensitive and health issues such as promoting the best prevention practices during the second wave of coronavirus, Merck Foundation has launched 6 Awards.
