Mumbai Hosts 10th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023

The 10th Edition of the "Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023" kicked off with a bang in Mumbai, India, with important dignitaries and First Ladies from 11 African nations joining forces to enhance healthcare capacity and promote awareness in vital medical specialties.

The Merck Foundation, the charitable arm of Merck KGaA Germany, staged the event in collaboration with numerous government bodies, the Tata Memorial Centre, and Krishna World University.

This hybrid event drew over 10,000 people from 70 countries and comprised five concurrent scientific and social sessions addressing underrepresented medical disciplines. During the Luminary, the Merck Foundation celebrated its sixth anniversary and an 11-year journey of development activities.

The revelation of the effect of the Merck Foundation's 1,700 scholarships awarded to doctors from 50 countries in 42 vital and neglected medical disciplines, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular prevention, and many others, was one of the significant highlights.

The Luminary also highlighted Cancer Awareness Month, with an emphasis on oncology training scholarships offered to doctors in 37 African countries, assisting in the creation of the country's first oncologists.

Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej noted, "We are making history in Africa together with our Ambassadors, First Ladies of Africa, and our partners, Tata Hospital and Krishna University."

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, stressed the Merck Foundation's mission of increasing healthcare capacity and fair healthcare solutions in Africa and Asia, thanked their partners, First Ladies, and specialists from over 70 nations who joined forces.

The Luminary began off with an important panel discussion of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit and will continue with medical and scientific seminars on crucial themes including cancer, diabetes, and reproductive treatment. A community awareness workshop and health media training for African journalists will also be included to address societal issues such as infertility stigma, girl education, gender-based violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and women's empowerment.

The Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 10th Edition is an important step in addressing healthcare disparities and breaking societal stigmas in the area, demonstrating Merck Foundation's commitment to improve overall health and well-being.