Merck Foundation Meet 26 African ministers of health, gender, education, science and technology and information to build healthcare and research capacity in Africa

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit - MARS 2021 online, in partnership with the African Union and African Ministers of different sectors, during the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021, held in partnership with the Government of Zambia.

The conference was inaugurated by The President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Prof Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees. It was co-chaired by Esther Lungu, The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia and Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

"I am very happy to have 26 African Ministers of different sectors, coming together for the MARS Online VC. Merck Foundation has been committed to underscore its long-term commitment towards building Healthcare and Research Capacity in Africa with a special focus on women and youth. This year, the Summit mainly addressed the importance of Empowering women and youth in education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); challenges and strategies, the response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Role of Scientific Research in responding to Cancer and Vaccines Development - Two emerging challenges in Africa," said Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS, while elaborating about the MARS Summit.

"The Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit was a valuable opportunity for all those engaged and interested in health research in Africa to learn about the full spectrum of ground-breaking scientific research currently underway in the continent with respect to COVID-19, and prepare the road ahead in Africa's strategy to tackle the pandemic with a concrete approach," said Dr Eng Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union - Scientific, Technical and Research Commission.

MARS Online VC brought distinguished leaders on a single platform to reaffirm Merck Foundation's commitment towards developing a strong Africa roadmap towards gender equality by discussing policies, leadership, and scientific roles that can enable women to recover and thrive in a post-COVID-19 world.

"Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers, and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. This MARS ministerial panel has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the role of governments and policies in advancing gender equality which will be conducive in our collaboration to empower women and supporting girls in education. I am very privileged to work closely with the African Ministers to contribute towards the development of Africa," said Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health and Population, Malawi.

The High-level Ministerial panel included:

1. Dr Jonas Kamima CHANDA, Minister of Health, Zambia

2. Dr Dennis WANCHINGA, Minister of General Education, Zambia

3. Dr Brian MUSHIMBA, Minister of Higher Education, Zambia

4. Elizabeth PHIRI, Minister of Gender, Zambia

5. Dora SILIYA, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Service, Zambia

6. Silvia Paula Lutucuta, Minister of Health, Angola

7. Dr NDIKUMANA Thadee, Minister of Public Health & Fighting against AIDS, Burundi

8. Dr Francois HAVYARIMANA, Ministre de L'Education Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique, Burundi

9. Imelde SABUSHIMIKE, Ministre de la Solidarite Nationale, des Affaires Sociales, des Droits de la Personne Humaine et du Genre, Burundi

10. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE, Ministre de la Communication, des Technologies de L'Information et des Medias, Republic of Burundi

11. Jacquiline Lydia Mikolo, Minister of Health & Population, Republic of the Congo

12. Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, The Gambia

13. Ebrima SILLAH, Minister of Information, The Gambia

14. Colonel Remy Lama, Minister of Health, Guinea Conakry

15. Pr Amadou Bano Barry, Minister of Education, Guinea Conakry

16. Amara Sompare, Minister of Information & Communication, Guinea Conkary

17. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health & Population, Malawi

18. Dr Patricia Kaliati, Minister Of Gender, Community Development & Social Welfare, Republic of Malawi

19. Agnes Nyalonje, Minister Of Education, Malawi

20. Ulemu Msungama, Minister Of Youth & Sports, Malawi

21. Timoth Pagonachi Mtambo, Minister Of Civic Education & National Unity, Malawi

22. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health & Social Services, Namibia

23. Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, State Minister for Health, Uganda

24. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Publicity, Zimbabwe

25. Sthembiso Nyoni, Minster of Women Affairs Small & Medium Enterprises, Zimbabwe

26. Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher & Tertiary Education, Zimbabwe

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This story is provided by BusinessWire India.will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

( With inputs from ANI )