NEW DELHI, India, Nov 4 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merck (http://www.MerckGroup.com), a leading science and technology company, through "Merck More than a Mother" (www.MerckMoreThanaMother.com) in partnership with the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) conducted a panel to address infertility challenges and solutions in Africa at the IFFS World Congress in New Delhi, India. The ministers, parliamentarians and global fertility experts highlighted lack of access to regulated fertility care and awareness about infertility management and stigma of infertile women as key challenges.

The panel supported improving access to regulated fertility care by developing ART regulations; empowering infertile women through education and information; training African embryologists and removing the infertility stigma to create a culture shift and change of mind-set.

“Merck More than a Mother aims to empower infertile women in Africa through improving access to education, information and health and change of mind-set and in case they cannot be treated empowering them economically and socially through “Empowering Berna” Project so that they can be independent and re-build their own lives,” said Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare.

“In Uganda, between 15-20% of couples don’t conceive. Fertility clinics in the country are few and expensive. Together with Merck we are creating awareness on infertility prevention and to improve access integrating fertility care into existing public reproductive healthcare services,” said Sarah Opendi, Minister of Health, Uganda.

“IFFS has an important role to support this initiative. Education is essential and we will support the training necessary in Africa to develop capacity for infertility treatment,” said Richard Kennedy, President, IFFS. 

To read more about www.MerckMoreThanaMother.com 

At the meeting Merck showed a few videos of African infertile women who shared their stories of suffering due to failing to have children and their transformation after meeting Merck More than a Mother team who helped empower them socially and economically. 

Watch the story of Grace Kambini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkVVbGzUJJo  

Watch the story of Jackline Mwende: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niMNO-jz0yA 

Watch this video for a summary of the high level panel discussion on infertility challenges and solutions in Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWG2UZcV2uU 

Watch this video for a long version of the high level panel discussion on infertility challenges and solutions in Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt4ZT3mupZs 

Distributed by APO on behalf of Merck.

SOURCE : Merck KGaA

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