Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany, in partnership with International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) and Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) conducted the Second Edition of their “World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS) 2023”.
The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign and Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), Dr. Edgar Mocanu, President of International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), and Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), and President of The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized,
“Our joint summit in partnership with International Federation of Fertility Societies and Africa Reproductive Care Society, has been our effort towards raising awareness about infertility, and specially male infertility, and to sensitizing communities to end the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile women & couples through access to information, education, health and change of mindset. Together we marked the World Fertility Awareness Month.
I am very proud that as part of our Merck Foundation More Than A Mother campaign in partnership with African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, Ministries of Health, Academia and Fertility Societies, we provided more than 490 scholarships to young doctors from 39 countries to be the local fertility experts in their respective countries. Many of them were trained to be the first local fertility experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, and more.
Together with Merck Foundation Alumni, and our partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility care across Africa and beyond.”
Dr. Edgar Mocanu, President of International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) stated,
“The aim of the summit is to ensure that the voice of the infertile is heard. I know enormous efforts have been taken in Africa and organizations are working tirelessly to focus on the African continent. The whole month is an important month for all of us to work together in raising awareness for about infertility, its prevention and treatment options.”
Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) said,
“Infertility is not only a medical issue but also a social issue as it affects the psychological health of the women suffering with infertility stigma due to emotional distress and physical violence too in some cases. Infertility can be preventive by adopting various measures like switching to a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
I appreciate the efforts of Merck Foundation for breaking the stigma around infertility”.
The objectives of the Summit were:
To highlight preventive measure in infertility in Africa and developing countries.
To discuss the challenges and define solutions to improve access to quality and equitable Infertility, Sexual & Reproductive Care via building healthcare capacity and raising community awareness.
Define interventions to break infertility stigma around women and couples.
The summit was conducted under Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, a strong movement that aims to empower women living with Infertility through access to information, education, change of mindset, and economic empowerment. This powerful campaign supports defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility.
