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Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany, in partnership with Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) has conducted its first Joint Annual Summit.

The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, and Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of “African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS)”, and President of The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties.

During the summit, which was held virtually on Tuesday, 12th April 2022, the ARCS announced the free membership for all Merck Foundation Alumni and partners from healthcare providers, Media, Artists, Policy Makers, Medical Societies, Academia and Community Leaders.

The aim was to emphasize the important role members played in creating a culture shift to break Infertility Stigma and Empower Infertile and Childless Women & Couples through access to information, education, health, change of mindset, improve access to quality and equitable women's healthcare and better reproductive and fertility care across the continent.

Multi-sectorial approach to end stigma associated with infertility

Speaking about the success of their first joint summit, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, who is also the Chairperson of the ARCS, emphasized, “Our joint summit was conducted under the umbrella of Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign and has been an effort towards initiating a multi-sectorial approach towards sensitizing communities to end the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile women & couples through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.”

“We are very happy to conduct our first joint annual summit 2022 with an important and inclusive Society like Africa Reproductive Care Society. I’m proud that our first summit was a great success"

Ministers of Health, Child Care, Gender, Social Welfare and Population from various African Countries, attended the summit as panel members with more than 500 participants including Merck Foundation partners and Alumni who are future Fertility Specialists, Reproductive and Sexual Care Specialists, and Embryologists, Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, Media Professionals, Artists, Fashion Designers, Community Leaders from 47 countries in Africa and beyond.

Prof. Oladapo Ashiru on his part said: "I am proud to partner with Merck Foundation, one of the most influential foundations on the continent. Africa carries a high burden of reproductive ill-health, among these, infertility has been a relatively neglected problem for many years. Our first virtual summit focused on these points, and we pledge to work with Merck Foundation to eradicate this stigma and build the needed women’s healthcare capacity including reproductive, sexual care, and fertility care throughout the continent.

"I am confident about the impactful programs of Merck Foundation that have already contributed to raising awareness and building fertility and reproductive care capacity in Africa. I also thank Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej for her support and innovative ideas for Merck Foundation’s iconic ‘More Than a Mother’ Campaign. We look forward to enriching this partnership and achieving many milestones in Africa”.

Meanwhile, the objectives of the Summit were:

1. To discuss a multi-sectorial approach to sensitize our communities to end Infertility stigma and empower infertile women and couples through access to information, education, health, and change of mindset

2. To discuss the challenges and define solutions to improve access to quality and equitable Infertility care via building Fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries

3. To highlight Preventive care in Reproductive Medicine

4. To raise Awareness about Male Infertility

5. To discuss Climate Change and Toxin Environmental Exposures (C2TE2) leading to infertility

The Summit collectively concluded that in addition to prioritizing the social and cultural dimension of Infertility, Infertility Prevention and generating Infertility Awareness, engaging and facilitating dialogue amongst communities to raise awareness to eradicate the stigma associated with infertility and make them understand that men and women can be equally affected by the medical condition of infertility needs emphasis.

‘It takes a man and a woman to have a child’ and ‘No to Infertility Stigma’ were two important messages that needed to spread through all sectors of our communities, through Media, Art, Fashion, Healthcare Sector, Social Groups and more.