The Merck Foundation’s influence on Botswana’s healthcare system continues to grow as an increasing number of professionals return from advanced training, prepared to confront pressing medical challenges. Among these dedicated individuals is Dr. Tochukwu Chidiebere Umunnakwe, who recently completed a distinguished Gynecology Oncology Fellowship through the esteemed Merck Foundation program in 2025. Driven by a deep-seated passion for gynecology and sexual reproductive health, Dr. Umunnakwe embarked on this fellowship after witnessing the harrowing consequences of...

Infertility remains one of Botswana’s most unspoken yet profoundly heart-wrenching health challenges. Despite ongoing progress in maternal and child healthcare, countless women and couples across the nation continue to grapple silently with the pain of conception’s elusive promise. At the forefront of this fight is Dr. Ntshonga-Taylor, a 2022 graduate of the Merck Foundation’s MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health program. Her journey is one marked by unwavering dedication, empowerment, and an unwavering mission to...

In many parts of Africa, struggling to have children isn’t just a private heartbreak—it’s a heavy social burden that cuts deep into families and communities. Infertility carries a weight far beyond biology; it’s tangled up with harsh judgment, isolation, and even economic hardship. At a recent media health training hosted by the Merck Foundation, Dr. David Mwesigye, a specialist in women’s health and fertility from Rwanda, spoke with urgency about the need to change how...

In a landmark community empowerment event held in the northwestern village of Shakawe, the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, officially launched a joint agricultural support initiative aimed at boosting small-scale horticulture through climate-resilient practices and modern farming equipment. The ceremony was graced by the Vice Chancellor of BUAN, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, and His Excellency Ahmet Idem Akay, the Ambassador of Türkiye to...

Botswana is facing a grim and escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) that has reached a breaking point, with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) Women’s League declaring it a national emergency in a recent press statement. The statistics paint a harrowing picture: nearly 70% of women in Botswana have experienced some form of GBV during their lifetime, a figure more than double the global average. Yet only a tiny fraction—about 1.2%—of these cases are reported...

Dr Rasha speaks on “Africa First Ladies Initiative,” The story of healthcare transformation in Africa is often told through statistics and grim headlines: a continent burdened with 24% of the global disease load yet staffed by a mere fraction of the world’s healthcare workers. But behind the numbers lies a narrative of hope and relentless commitment, shaped by visionary leadership and bold partnerships. At the heart of this movement stands Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chairperson of...

Dubai, UAE — The Merck Foundation, led by CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej, marked 13 years of service in advancing healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment. The event gathered First Ladies, dignitaries, healthcare professionals, and media representatives from Africa, Asia, and other regions, underscoring a global commitment to equitable healthcare and social development. In her opening remarks, Dr. Rasha Kelej acknowledged the contributions of the First Ladies in attendance, highlighting their dedication to the Foundation’s objectives. Some...

SPEDU will lose millions every month to a suspended tender Court rules for auctioning of SPEDU property, SPEDU may close down SPEDU says their hands are tied by the DIS tender suspension SPEDU will not be opposing monthly payment demands for works on cite If the government does not move swiftly to intervene, the Selebi Phikwe Economic Unit (SPEDU)’s troubled P1.2 billion tender will not only drain the public coffers but will close down SPEDU...