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Merck Foundation marking strong milestone of Transforming Patient Care Landscape and Supporting Girl Education in partnership with Botswana First Lady

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Merck Foundation (www.MerckFoundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2018 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education, stop GBV in Botswana and the rest of Africa. 

The program took place in esteemed presence of The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI and Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp. 

The Summit was chaired by The First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. 

H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC MASISI, the President of Botswana emphasized during the launch “I deeply appreciate the joint programs of The First Lady of Botswana and the Merck Foundation. I am thrilled to see the tangible, measurable impact of these programs  and their long-term commitment to the health and social development of our beautiful country, in such a short time. Botswana needs these valuable programs; I wholeheartedly wish for their success.” 

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It is a great honor to meet H.E. The President of Republic of Botswana, and our long-term partner and my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Republic of Botswana and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to officially launch the Merck Foundation Programs in the country, and to underscore our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, ending GBV, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.” 

H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Republic of Botswana, Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO to our country. Together we officially launched and also celebrated important milestones of the great success of our joint programs to build healthcare capacity, transform patientcare, break infertility stigma, support girl education and stop GBV, in our country since 2018. 

In a very short time, we have been able to provide 46 scholarships to our young doctors in many specialties which are very critical for us. We are proud of our achievements together.”  

“I am very happy to share that we have together transformed the patientcare landscape of Botswana by providing 46 scholarships of One-Year Online PG Diploma and Two-Year Master Degree for local doctors from Botswana nationwide in many underserved and critical medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Embryology, Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive care, Acute Medicine, Dermatology, Obesity and Weight Management, Respiratory Care and Internal Medicine and more, it is considered as an excellent number for 2.7 M population. And we are still going to provide more scholarships to local healthcare providers nationwide”, emphasized Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Merck Foundation Board of Trustees. 

“I am also very happy to share that together with Her Excellency The First Lady of Botswana, we are also supporting girl education by providing scholarships and bicycles for 40 schoolgirls to cover their transportation and other education expenses so that they can reach their potentials and achieve their dreams”, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.  

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp added, “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program.” 

“Merck Foundation has provided 1810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties. Out of the total 46 scholarships provided in Botswana, 19 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity&Weight Management, for Botswanan doctors from different provinces across the country, which is very important to improve access to quality and equitable diabetes and hypertension patient care not only in Gaborone but nationwide. 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,” Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.  

Out of the 46 scholarships, 10 scholarships have been provided to doctors in Fertility and one-year PG Diploma and two-year Master degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine. This is a huge number that will advance women’s health in the country. 

5 Scholarships have been provided for Oncology to develop and support the cancer care capacity in the country.

Moreover, 12 scholarships have been provided for Acute Medicine, Respiratory Care, Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and more as part of Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program. 

Merck Foundation is also working closely with Botswana First Lady to inspire girls and sensitize communities about the importance of girl education. As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation will sponsor the education of 20 deserving schoolgirls, till they graduate. Moreover, Merck Foundation also provided 20 bicycles to encourage girls to continue going to the school, as they sometimes dropout due to long distances.   

“I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger&prosperous”, added Senator Kelej. 

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO together with The First Lady of Botswana also visited schools in the country to meet the beneficiaries of Sewing machines donation and witness their success.  

During the Summit, Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony was held, during which 7 Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards were acknowledged by Merck Foundation Chairman, Merck Foundation CEO together with Botswana First Lady.  

Additionally, they also addressed the journalists during the Merck Foundation Health Media Training conducted in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana for the Botswanan journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Diabetes and Hypertension awareness. Apart from this, the Call for Application for 8 important Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana were announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields Merck Foundation. The training program was also addressed by prominent Medical&Media Experts and Government Officials. 

Moreover, Merck Foundation Chairman, and Merck Foundation CEO together with The First Lady of Botswana signed a few copies of their different children’s storybooks titled: “More Than a Mother” created for children and youth to emphasize and strengthen family values of love and respect from an early age; “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence, to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure” to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes&Hypertension. Thousands of copies of these storybooks are going to be distributed to school students of Botswana. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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Contact details :
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation :
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4d7xBBC), Twitter (apo-opa.co/3ynlIZ9), Instagram (apo-opa.co/3yC5ZoZ), YouTube (apo-opa.co/3YuJtsM) and Flickr (apo-opa.co/3ync0G9).

Ethiopian Airlines partners with Satarem to produce SAF

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Ethiopian Airlines partners with Satarem to produce SAF

In a significant move towards a more sustainable future, Ethiopian Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Satarem America Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions. This strategic partnership will enable the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within Ethiopia’s aviation sector.

Under the agreement, Satarem will be responsible for producing SAF in Ethiopia, while Ethiopian Airlines has committed to acquiring the SAF from Satarem. This collaborative effort marks a major milestone in Ethiopian Airlines’ journey towards reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

“We are excited to partner with Satarem America Inc in our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future,” said Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group. “The adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not just a business decision; it reflects our commitment to combating climate change and investing in innovative solutions that support a sustainable industry.”

SAF, a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, is produced from sustainable feedstocks and has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel. By integrating SAF into its operations, Ethiopian Airlines is taking a significant step towards enhancing its environmental performance and contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the aviation industry.

As one of Africa’s largest and most experienced airlines, Ethiopian Airlines has long been at the forefront of sustainability initiatives. The airline has implemented various measures, including fleet modernization, optimized flight operations, tree planting, and extensive recycling programs, to minimize waste and emissions. The partnership with Satarem will further bolster these efforts, solidifying Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a pioneer in adopting eco-friendly aviation solutions.

“This partnership with Satarem America Inc. reaffirms Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a pioneer in adopting eco-friendly aviation solutions, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high standards of environmental performance and contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the aviation industry,” the company stated.

The strategic collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines and Satarem marks a new era of eco-friendly travel, setting an example for other airlines to follow in the pursuit of a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.

NGOs struggle as forex rate hike strains resources

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NGOs struggle as forex rate hike strains resources

The government’s recent decision to increase the foreign exchange rate (FER) has significantly impacted the operations of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), putting their projects and plans under severe strain. With over 4,000 humanitarian organizations active in the country, many are grappling with the reduced purchasing power of their funds due to the rising value of the dollar.

Several NGOs, speaking anonymously, reported that the costs of their projects have skyrocketed. What previously was estimated to cost around 56 ETB now exceeds 90 ETB, placing a substantial burden on their budgets. These organizations, which provide essential services such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare to the most vulnerable populations, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.

According to sources, banks have recently begun contacting these charitable organizations, inquiring about their accounts. This unusual request highlights the financial pressures faced by these NGOs, which have already seen the value of their resources diminish by more than 50 percent within a week of the government’s reform.

The foreign exchange rate hike, part of a broader macroeconomic reform program announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has led to a rapid devaluation of the Ethiopian birr. As a result, NGOs are reconsidering their agreements with international donors, who typically provide support on an annual basis.

The devaluation has forced some organizations to contemplate drastic measures, such as scaling back projects or reducing staff. “The decision is disheartening, especially for institutions like ours,” said a senior source from an NGO focused on capacity building in the health sector. “We had budgeted for a 57% increase in costs, but the situation has escalated beyond anything we could have anticipated.”

The impact of the hike extends beyond the NGO sector. Some charities report that traders are now hoarding goods, further complicating their efforts to provide services. “We’ve received funds from donors, but their purchasing power has significantly diminished,” one source explained. “Our capital has been devalued, and our balance sheets will inevitably suffer.”

In his statement announcing the macroeconomic reforms, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the benefits of a market-based foreign exchange rate system, which aims to correct imbalances between supply and demand, align prices with market realities, and address payment discrepancies. However, for NGOs on the ground, the immediate effects have been far from positive, raising concerns about their ability to continue supporting those in need.

Ethiopian Airlines reports record revenue amid challenges

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Ethiopian Airlines reports record revenue amid challenges

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a strong financial performance for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, achieving a revenue of USD 7.02 billion, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. The airline’s passenger services were a major contributor, generating USD 5 billion, while its cargo operations brought in USD 1.65 billion. Despite facing challenges such as fuel shortages and flight restrictions, Ethiopian Airlines successfully transported over 17 million passengers and expanded its network to 139 international destinations.

In addition to its robust financial performance, Ethiopian Airlines has made significant progress in infrastructure development. The airline has invested over USD 458 million in capital projects, including the construction of new airports set to open across Ethiopia in the coming year. However, the airline acknowledged ongoing challenges, including instability and a shortage of spare parts. CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasized the importance of adhering to international regulations and maintaining a high standard of passenger care.

In a related development, Ethiopian Airlines has faced scrutiny over its transportation of live animals, including primates. CEO Mesfin Tasew addressed these concerns, stating that the airline has been transporting live animals, such as monkeys, sheep, goats, fish, cows, and bulls, in full compliance with international aviation laws and regulations. The CEO’s remarks came in response to accusations that the airline had transported wild animals from West Africa, including species of ‘high biosecurity concern’ like bats and primates. The World Animal Protection organization singled out Ethiopian Airlines as a major player in the global export of live wild-caught animals, including African grey parrots, civets, genets, and others.

“We transport live animals as long as payment is made and they are transported by a legal entity,” Mesfin explained. “This is done in accordance with international aviation rules, under legal permits from different countries.”

The airline has also been engaged in discussions with authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reach an agreement that would enhance the efficiency of its air transport services, expand its range of flight destinations, and introduce additional flights to Kisangani. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates 21 weekly flights to Kinshasa, 14 to Lubumbashi, and 7 to Kisangani, Goma, and other airports within the DRC.

Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines is in talks with Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, and other countries to assist in establishing national airlines in those nations. The airline has also made overseas investments, holding stakes in airlines such as Alaska Airlines (Togo) with 26%, Malawi Airlines with 49%, and Zambia Airways with 46%.

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