Merck Foundation releases ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ Local Song in partnership with The Gambia First Lady – by Is Nabs for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Merck Foundation releases “Merck More Than a Mother” Local Song created by Sunita, a young Gambian Artist
BANJUL,
Gambia, October 11, 2019/ — Merck Foundation (www.Merck-
Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together
with the First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. Madam FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW,
released an empowering song to break the stigma around infertility in
Africa and rest of the world as part of Merck more than a Mother
community awareness campaign. The song has been written and composed by
Sunita, a young female artist from The Gambia.
Dr.
Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a
Mother explained “This song is part of Merck More than a Mother
Movement to discover African talent that can produce songs, music,
movies and fashion to address the stigma of infertility to sensitize
African communities to say ‘No for infertility stigma’ and to raise
awareness about women’s role in society which beyond only being mothers.
Women are not baby making machines, they are productive members in
society whether they are mothers or not, moreover men equally can be the
cause of infertility like women so why are they are solely been blamed
for it”.
The
song urges men to support their wives during the treatment journey of
building a family and delivers an important message ‘Fertility is a
Shared Responsibility’.
Merck Foundation has been working at all levels to brings in a cultural shift in the African society.
Merck
Foundation has also underscored their commitment to build healthcare
capacity in the country by partnering with H.E. Madam FATOUMATTA
BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck More
Than a Mother.
H.E.
Madam FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and
Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother explained, “It has been a
pleasure working with Merck Foundation. Their innovative programs have
been very beneficial for the people of our country. The training Merck
Foundation is providing to our doctors is proving to be very valuable to
us. Around twenty doctors will be provided by one year and two years
training to be able to have our first ever Oncologist and Oncology team,
and first fertility specialists and Embryologist. We did not have
before a cancer care clinic or oncologist or even fertility specialist
or clinic. Now, couples will find the care they deserve, and they will
have option to have the assurance they need if they chose to have
children. We are making history with Merck Foundation”
Dr.
Rasha Kelej emphasized, “After our committee meeting with Her
Excellency in 2017 in Egypt at Merck Africa Asia Luminary, our programs
have started in partnership with The Gambia government and we have
already enrolled doctor from The Gambia to our specialty training
programs for Oncology Master and Fellowship Program, One Year Online
Diabetes Diploma and Fertility Specialist Training. I am very proud that
we have trained the first ever fertility specialist from The Gambia.
Our aim is to improve access to innovative and equitable healthcare in
the country”.
The local song is Merck Foundation’s effort to break the stigma around infertility, using art as a medium.
“I
believe that art can influence the way we think and act as individuals,
and as a society. Art allows us to go beyond the boundaries of what we
currently know or think. It can be used as a way to challenge society’s
current beliefs, generate critical thinking and bring about a positive
change. Music on its own has the ability to move people, provoke
emotion, and think about any lyrics”, added Dr. Kelej.
To listen to this beautiful song, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/35mZKlA
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation