Merck Foundation CEO Meets Mauritius President to Highlight Impact of 100 Scholarships and Launch New Social Impact Awards
Merck Foundation CEO and “More Than a Mother” campaign president, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, President of the Republic of Mauritius, to share the transformative impact of the foundation’s long-term healthcare and social development programs in the country.
During the high-level meeting, Dr. Kelej emphasized Merck Foundation’s enduring commitment to strengthening public healthcare systems through capacity building and women’s empowerment. A key highlight was the foundation’s provision of 100 scholarships for Mauritian doctors in 42 underserved specialties, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
“I am proud to share that we have supported Mauritian doctors in obtaining advanced training in key medical fields such as oncology, endocrinology, reproductive health, and more,” said Dr. Kelej. “We are also exploring new training opportunities in cutting-edge disciplines like stem cell therapy, CAR T-cell treatment, and AI in radiology.”
Since 2017, Merck Foundation has extended over 2,280 scholarships to doctors in 52 countries, creating the first specialists in many of those nations. In Mauritius, the initiative has been pivotal in strengthening access to specialized care.
Dr. Kelej also met with the Hon. Ms. Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, and senior officials from the Ministry of Health to reinforce multi-sectoral collaboration. As part of her visit, she co-chaired the 4th Edition of the Merck Foundation Health Media Training in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Equality. The training highlighted the role of media in addressing critical social and health issues such as infertility stigma, gender-based violence, FGM, and child marriage.
To further catalyze change, Merck Foundation launched eight major award categories for African creatives, journalists, and youth to use their talents in raising awareness around health and gender issues. These include:
- Media, Fashion, Film, and Song Awards under the “More Than a Mother” theme
- Special awards on Diabetes and Hypertension awareness
Participants from across Africa are invited to submit their works by September 30 or October 30, 2025, depending on the category.
“These awards are designed to empower voices across all sectors—media, arts, fashion, music—to influence cultural transformation,” said Dr. Kelej. “Together, we can change mindsets and improve lives.”
For more information and submission details, visit www.Merck-Foundation.com.
