Namibia First Lady, H.E. MONICA GEINGOS speech at Merck Foundation AfricaAsia Luminary-VCSummit2021

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I am happy to share with you the speech of the First Lady of Namibia, H.E. Mrs. MONICA GEINGOS, & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held via videoconference.
She said,"I am very happy today to join my sisters; Their Excellences’ First Ladies of Africa and all of you as the Guest of Honour for the 8th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary. Also, to celebrate together the 4th Anniversary of Merck Foundation.
I am pleased to be part of such an important Pan African and Asian Conference, that brings together the world’s health experts and more than 2000 participants from more than 70 countries together.
I am very excited to meet you all after a long time, today at our second Virtual Summit of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative.
As I said before, We have been separated but we are still united in many ways more than ever, especially during our battle against this precedential pandemic, therefore, I really appreciate such online platforms that facilitate for us to exchange experience, information and solutions as The First Lady and as Merck More Than a Mother Ambassador. Thanks to Merck Foundation to make this valuable virtual conference happen for the 2nd time. And I wish we can do this on a frequent basis even after Coronavirus lockdown ends.
A strong commitment to advancing public healthcare sector across Africa, is very critical to our countries in the light of the current global challenge. This is very important for Namibia, as we have a very limited number of local specialists in public sector, therefore we appreciate Merck Foundation for such honest commitment towards this strategy to advance and train public healthcare providers so they can support our populations now and at all times.
I am particularly excited as Merck More Than a Mother Ambassador, that 11 young doctors from different provinces in Namibia have enrolled to the online one year diploma and two-year master degree in Sexual and reproductive medicines. This will add significant value to women's health and will reshape the landscape of fertility and reproductive health nationwide. Together with the Ministry of Health, we will follow up to ensure they are taking this unique opportunity seriously to be able to help women in general and infertile couples in particular across the country. For Namibia, 2.4 M population, we will soon have more than 11 skilled and trained doctors to assist couples living with infertility or need any sexual & reproductive help, this will be a significant contribution that I am proud of.
Moreover, 16 local doctors have been enrolled in one-year diploma and two-year master degree in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Cardiovascular Preventive from South Wales University.
6 Doctors enrolled in PG Diploma in Respiratory Medicine and acute medicines which will be of great help in coronavirus patients management in the public sector.
This is considered an outstanding development in a very short time.
Moreover, we are still going to focus together on providing clinical training to our local doctors in the fields of Oncology and Fertility Specialist and Embryologists in India and Egypt.
We have announced the winners of “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards and Merck More than a Mother Media Recognition Awards in Namibia. Moreover, we have also distributed 20,000 copies of ‘Paulus Story’ to children in the country.
Also, 30,000 copies of the three storybooks: ‘Paulus Story’, ‘Educating Ndeshipanda’ and Make the Right Choice’ Story, have been created to distribute among school children for awareness and advocacy building for education, women empowerment, family values of love and respect, and COVID 19 health aspects.
We are also working on other initiatives that aim to improve access to information, health and change of mindset; such as developing training materials and myth-busting leaflets for media, marriage councilors, priests, and other relevant stakeholders.
As Merck More Than a Mother Ambassador, I’d like to emphasize; This campaign is very critical for my country and for Africa at large especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
It means that infertile and childless women are suffering even more and more physical and psychological violence and are now trapped at home with their abusers, struggling to access services, they are lonely suffering in silence.
Let’s all work together to break Infertility stigma now more than ever.
Once again, I’d like to thank Merck Foundation for hosting us today, and looking forward to meeting you in person, please stay safe and healthy."
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO of Merck Foundation
Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary