Kenya and Merck Foundation Tackle Infertility Stigma and Expand Cancer Care
The Merck Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare capacity in Kenya following high-level talks between its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rasha Kelej, and the First Lady of Kenya, H.E. Margaret Kenyatta, at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare services, with particular emphasis on training medical specialists in oncology, fertility and diabetes care, alongside broader efforts to enhance national health systems.
H.E. Margaret Kenyatta welcomed the engagement, expressing optimism about future collaboration, including training more oncologists and specialists in diabetes and infertility management. She also highlighted alignment with Kenya’s broader health initiatives, including the Beyond Zero campaign.
Dr Kelej described the partnership as part of Merck Foundation’s long-term commitment to improving health and wellbeing in Kenya through capacity building and medical education.
She emphasised ongoing efforts to train doctors, strengthen fertility care, and address stigma associated with infertility across African communities.
She further noted that the Foundation’s programmes aim to expand access to specialised healthcare through structured fellowships and training initiatives in collaboration with local institutions and international partners.
The Merck Foundation outlined several ongoing interventions in Kenya, including oncology fellowship training in partnership with the University of Nairobi, diabetes and hypertension diploma programmes, and fertility specialist training for Kenyan doctors.
The organisation also highlighted its work in empowering women affected by infertility through livelihood support programmes.
Additional initiatives include media training for journalists to improve reporting on infertility and health issues, as well as public awareness campaigns aimed at addressing stigma and promoting behavioural change.
The Foundation’s broader “Merck More Than a Mother” campaign continues to focus on empowering women, expanding access to fertility care, and strengthening healthcare systems across Africa through education, training and advocacy.
Both parties agreed that sustained collaboration between government, development partners and medical institutions is essential to building long-term healthcare capacity and improving health outcomes in Kenya.
