A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEAD A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING LIFE

Transcription

1 A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEAD A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING LIFE

2 Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG Chairman of Board of Trustees of Merck Foundation Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg- Haverkamp We at Merck, the world s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company, know that acting responsibly is key for long-time entrepreneurial success. Therefore, we do a lot for the communities in which we operate in. I strongly believe that it is crucial to have a real economic transformation with a social dimension that will ensure not only all basic needs but quality of life for everyone. This can never be achieved except with capacity building and the empowerment of women and youth. The size and complexity of the task is so large that no single organization can manage on its own, so integration of effort is necessary to realize our vision for a world where everyone can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The private sector has an important role as partner with governments, academia and communities; it is time to take an action now. Therefore, we will consolidate many of our centrally driven corporate responsibility activities under one single roof: the Merck Foundation. This new philanthropic organization will allow us to considerably expand the scope, reach and effectiveness of our projects. It puts us in a better position to address some of the most pressing health, social and economic challenges of the 21 st century. We strongly believe that together we can make a significant contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals. With Merck Foundation, our long term commitment to the communities in which we operate will remain strong and consistent as it was throughout generations. Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg- Haverkamp Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG Chairman of Board of Trustees of Merck Foundation

3 OUR VISION A world where everyone can lead a healthy and fulfilling life THE MeRCK FOUNDATION: WHO WE ARE MeRck Foundation strives to: The Merck Foundation is a philanthropic organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM* with a special focus on women and youth. become the partner of choice within the healthcare sector, academia, research institutions and governments in advancing science and technology and addressing health challenges in developing countries and underserved communities. be a source of pride for Merck employees and its partners * STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics MERCK FOUNDATION 03

4 CEO Merck Foundation, President of Merck More Than a Mother Dr. Rasha Kelej I am very proud to be appointed as the CEO of Merck Foundation and work together with all of you to realize our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Through this foundation, Merck combines many of its corporate responsibility activities under one roof and considerably expands its scope to address health, social and economic challenges of the 21 st century. With the Merck Foundation, we will continue our commitment towards improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in developing countries and underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity, empowering women and youth in STEM and advancing people s lives through science and technology. Merck Foundation together with its partners will touch people s lives and make a difference every day. Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO of Merck Foundation, President of Merck More Than a Mother

5 OUR MISSION WHAT WE DO Together with its partners, the Merck Foundation aims to: raise awareness of disease prevention and early detection through access to information, health and change of mind-set. expand professional capabilities in scientific research, technology and healthcare. improve access to innovative and equitable healthcare solutions. build advocacy to address health, social and economic challenges. empower women and youth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The Merck Foundation focuses on activities that will contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined by the United Nations. MERCK FOUNDATION 05

6 MERCK MORE THAN A MOTHER Together we create a cultural shift

7 In some cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This often results in divorce or physical and psychological violence. Merck More Than a Mother initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education, health and change of mindset. This historic campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention and management. In partnership with academia, ministries of health and international fertility societies, the initiative also provides medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With Merck More Than a Mother, we have initiated a cultural shift to break the stigma around infertility on all levels: By improving awareness, training the local experts, building advocacy in cooperation with decision makers and by supporting childless women in starting their own small business. It s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. Jackline Mwende. Empowered by "Merck more than a Mother". MERCK MORE THAN A MOTHER 09

8 MERCK CANCER ACCESS PROGRAM Together we fight Cancer Every Day

9 The Merck Cancer Access Program is part of Merck Foundation s commitment to improve patient s access to quality and equitable cancer care in underserved communities. The Program builds cancer care capacity, supports the implementation and development of specialized healthcare solutions and is augmented by community awareness campaigns to contribute to the reduction of cancer incidences and improve survival rates. The lack of financial means is not the only challenge in Africa and developing countries, but a scarcity of trained health care personnel capable to tackle the prevention, early diagnosis and management of cancer at all levels of the health care systems is even a bigger challenge. Therefore, the program consists of three initiatives to enhance cancer care on all relevant levels: Merck Oncology Fellowship Program focuses on building professional cancer care capacity with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists in Africa and Developing countries. The program provides one, two and three medical oncology fellowship in India, Malaysia, Kenya, Egypt and Europe, in partnership with African Ministries of Health, Local Governments and Academia. Launched in 2016, over 30 candidates from more than 17 African countries has rolled in the Merck Oncology Fellowship Program. The program will continue to build cancer care capability in African countries such as Niger, Chad, Guinea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Gambia, Senegal, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius and Ghana. Merck More Than a Patient empowers women cancer survivors to reclaim their lives by reintegration into society. Rose Chiedo, Woman Cancer Survivor Merck Community Awareness shares accurate cancer information to help in tackling myths, misconception and stigma through medical camps and social media. MERCK CANCER ACCESS PROGRAM 11

10 MERCK STEM PROGRAM Together we empower women and youth in science and technology

11 We believe that empowering women through education is an important factor in promoting the economic well-being of Africans. Many literatures have shown that there are strong links between educating women and girls and positive outcomes for economic empowerment, social mobility and maternal health. It is also believed that women s unemployment in a nation s workforce is a waste of valuable human capital that has a negative impact on economic prosperity and national development. The girls who attend school and learn skills to improve their future livelihoods in turn champion education for their families, communities and nation. However, the opportunities must be present and ripe for the taking. Recalling the UN slogan Equality for Women is Progress for All, this is a clear message around girls education and women s empowerment. Moreover, the Merck Foundation offers their support to motivate female researchers and healthcare providers and recognize their achievements. Through its annual platform, the UNESCO Merck Africa Research Summit - MARS, Merck Foundation prepares the road for young African researchers to drive Africa s development as an international hub for research. As part of our contribution towards improving access to healthcare solutions and hence to the social and economic development of Africa, we have launched Merck s annual Best African Woman Researcher Award and Best Young African Researcher Award. Winners from Kenya, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Uganda, Ethiopia Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia and Zimbabwe were presented with the awards during the recently held 2nd UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In cooperation with Ministries of Science and Education and UNESCO, the Merck Foundation s target is to empower girls and women through various initiatives, including providing training, setting up computer libraries in schools and appointing the UNESCO-MARS Research Award winners as ambassadors for the "Merck STEM Program". MERCK STEM PROGRAM 13

12 MERCK COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM Together we fight wide spread diseases

13 The best way to fight a disease is to prevent it. But to do so, people need to know more about their health. That s why knowledge and education are essential for an efficient healthcare system. But in underserved regions, spreading information across communities is a big challenge. To reach patients and professionals with the right healthcare messages on the relevant channels, Merck has conducted several community awareness and prevention campaigns about diabetes, infertility and cancer. By partnering with healthcare, policy makers institutions governments, ministries of health and team of interdisciplinary experts, a wide range of initiatives has been kicked off. The Community Awareness Program ensures easy access to knowledge about diseases like cancer, infertility, hypertension and diabetes with educational materials in a range of languages. In addition, a broad social media campaign for prevention and early detection including videos and posters amplifies the outreach of our life saving messages. Quit smoking to prevent non-communicable diseases. MERCK COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM 15

14 MERCK DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION AWARDS Together we develop tomorrow s experts

15 Merck Foundation has launched the "Merck Diabetes Award' and Merck Hypertension Award in more than 30 African and Asian universities. Our aim was to build a platform of diabetes and hypertension experts across the globe as part of our commitment to building healthcare capacity and improving access to quality and sustainable healthcare solutions in developing countries. Medical undergraduates and postgraduates are invited to apply for the Merck Diabetes Award and Merck Hypertension Award by submitting concept papers under the themes of Every Day is a Diabetes Day and What the Healthy Heart Needs respectively. Reviewed by a scientific committee, winners per award, from each country, are granted enrollment to a one year postgraduate Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine or Diabetes Diploma at reputable universities. Mansi Thakur Govermment Medical College, Nagpur, India Merck Foundation plans to launch the two awards in more countries to establish a platform of diabetes and hypertension experts in developing countries. MERCK DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION AWARDS 17

16 MERCK CAPACITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM Together we advance people s lives

17 Through our Merck Capacity Advancement Program, we are striving to improve access to better diabetes, cancer, hypertension and fertility care in under-served regions. By educating and training medical students and healthcare providers, we want to basically strengthen the local capacities and enhance the clinical management processes. The goal is to raise awareness for these health conditions as well as to support healthcare systems with the measures to prevent, diagnose and manage them effectively. Since 2012, we have successfully collaborated with universities in different regions around the globe. By end of 2017, more than 25,000 medical undergraduates and postgraduates in partnership with African and Asian universities will benefit from the Clinical Diabetes and Hypertension management training, seeking to equip them with skills to better manage and prevent these diseases. And the story continues: Merck Foundation is planning to target more than 30,000 students by the end of 2018 expanding to more African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries with special focus on non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer and fertility management. Sheila Wanjiru Medical undergraduate, University of Nairobi MERCK CAPACITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM 07

18 MERCK FOUNDATION & PARTNERS Together we make a difference We know we can make a greater difference in people s lives when working together with others. We cooperate with governments, academic institutions, global and local communities, donors, patient associations, international organizations and NGOs. We are open to partner on programs that contribute to our goal health and wellbeing. of improving the We care for people living in underserved communities and want to advance their lives through science and technology. We are dedicated to sharing our expertise to jointly develop and implement those programs.

19 About MeRck Foundation Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is a philanthropic organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. to read more and/or register online to interact and exchange experience with our registered members. Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany. AbOUT MERCK Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare,life science and performance materials - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. Founded in 1668, Merck is the world s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. MERCK FOUNDATION 19

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