The Merck Foundation concludes training to break the stigma around infertility in Africa

Mumbai, July 18: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, organized its first Merck Health Media training in Nairobi, Kenya. The training program was attended by over 200 journalists representing multimedia, print and online media from 17 African countries

"I am delighted to lead this training and look forward to the participation of so many media representatives. media ethics for reporting on sensitive topics like infertility in Africa, to help reporters understand infertility issues and learn the best media practices to cover these problems in French-speaking African countries and Asian countries in 2018, "said Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck more than a mother.

The training program was part of the Merck Community Awareness Program more than a mother. It was organized to highlight the important role played by the media in influencing our society to create cultural change in order to break the stigma around infertility in general and infertile women in particular.

It was addressed by the pillars of the community of countries of Asia and Africa, including India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Kenya and South Africa. During the training program, the Merck Foundation announced the launch of new hashtags #MenToo and #NoForInfertilityStigma to invite media from all over Africa to share their opinions and stories on social media on the subject.

This program also provided an excellent opportunity for African journalists to network and work together to eradicate the stigma around infertility

"The media community has benefited immensely from this The Merck Foundation's efforts to bring all African media and important stakeholders together on a platform will lead to the necessary cultural change in African communities, "said Tom Mshindi, editor-in-chief of Nation Media Group [19659006] .It is an excellent initiative of the Merck Foundation, which has helped to educate the media on the prevention of infertility and male infertility, which is very important for the I & # 39; Africa, since around 85% of infertility caused by untreated infectious diseases, hence prevention is very important.And also how infertility This can be avoided in many cases, "said Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, President of the Africa Fertility Society, Nigeria

The program has seen the participation of journalists from various African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Gambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Africa Southern, Ethiopia, Botswana, Liberia, Cameroon, Burundi, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia and Sierra Leona

The list of speakers included Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, Pauline Wanjiku Kibui, Kenya's first female embryologist, Dr. Koigi Kamau, President of Kenya Fertility Society, Dr. Wanjiru Ndengwa, Gyn and IVF Specialist, Kenya, Dr. Anurag Batra, President and Editor, BW Business World and Exchange4media, India Tom Mshindi, Editor-in-Chief, Nation Media Group, Jean-Luc Emile, editor and news anchorman, Radio Plus and Teleplus, Maurice, Oladapo Ashiru, President of the Africa Fertility Society, Nigeria, Tareq Muhammad Salahuddin, Health Editor Daily section Star, Bangladesh; Mathatha Tsedu, Health Journalist of South Africa and Renee Ngamau, Capital FM, Kenya

"Not only the media but also the art have the ability and influence to make the problem feel , which stimulates emotions and leads to engagement., we collaborated with famous singers, Suzanna Owiyo and Octopizzo of Kenya, Tom Close of Rwanda and Rozzyfrom Sierra Leone to launch three thematic songs: "Warriors &" "Life is Bigger", "More Than a Mother" addressing the issue in a specific way: focus on male infertility to encourage men to talk about their infertility and join the treatment course with their wives.The songs were released at the awards ceremony and I believe that they will add significant value to influence the culture change that we advocate "Dr. Rasha Kelej

The Merck Foundation has also t organized a media recognition awards ceremony "Merck more than a mother" on July 9th. The awards were organized to highlight the role of the media in strengthening public engagement and understanding of the stigma of infertility and the need to change its social perception in African communities

" 2018 Media Recognition Award at the end of the ceremony and encouraged all African media to advocate for the campaign and apply for the competition.