Botswana First Lady named ‘More Than a Mother’ envoy --[Reported by Umva mag]

The Merck Foundation has officially named First Lady Neo Masisi as the ambassador of its “More Than a Mother” campaign, which aims to enhance healthcare capacity, break the stigma surrounding infertility, combat gender-based violence (GBV) and support girls’ education in Botswana and beyond.

The announcement was made during the launch of the foundation’s programmes in the southern African country held on Wednesday in Gaborone.

The event was chaired by First Lady Masisi alongside Merck Foundation chief executive Rasha Kelej in the presence of President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, chairperson of the Merck Foundation board of trustees.

First Lady Masisi expressed pride in the collaborative efforts that have been achieved since the programmes began in 2018.

“Together we officially launched and celebrated important milestones of the great success of our joint programmes to build healthcare capacity, transform patient care, break infertility stigma, support girl education, and stop GBV in our country,” she said.

Kelej emphasized the significance of the partnership, saying it was a great honour to officially launch the Merck Foundation programmes in the country.

“Our commitment towards building healthcare capacity, transforming patient care, ending GBV, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girl education remains strong,” the Egyptian senator said.

The joint programmes have successfully provided 46 scholarships for young Botswana doctors in critical specialties and aim to extend their impact.

Kelej said Merck Foundation has provided a total of 1,810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.

The 46 awarded to Batswana doctors are expected to improve access to quality and equitable diabetes and hypertension patient care across the country.

“After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their health centre or hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities,” she added.

Additionally, the initiative would support girls’ education by providing scholarships and bicycles for 40 schoolgirls, helping to cover transportation and educational expenses.

President Masisi commended the launch, highlighting the tangible benefits of the initiatives.

“I deeply appreciate the joint programmes of The First Lady of Botswana and the Merck Foundation. I am thrilled to see the measurable impact of these programmes and their long-term commitment to the health and social development of our beautiful country.”

JN/APA

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