Merck Foundation, CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej
Across Africa, infertility remains a deeply painful experience for many families. A couple who cannot have children often face blame, rejection, and shame. In numerous communities, all eyes focus on the woman, she is labeled as cursed, inadequate, or even a witch. This suffering is not just emotional; it too often ends in divorce, isolation, or loss of self-worth.
Luckily, a powerful force is responding to this silent crisis. Since 2015, the Merck Foundation, led by CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej, has been working to rewrite Africa’s infertility story. Its flagship initiative, “More Than a Mother,” is built on two clear goals: First, it challenges harmful stereotypes that marginalize infertile women.
Secondly, it creates strong, safe, and affordable fertility care in public hospitals across the continent.
Infertility is often misunderstood as a woman’s fault. But medical research is clear: men and women are equally likely to be infertile. When women are wrongly blamed, they suffer: mentally, socially, and sometimes financially. Families break apart. Women lose their dignity, sometimes even their homes.
Dr. Kelej has spoken passionately about this mistreatment:
“Infertility is not a woman’s problem, it’s a medical condition. A woman’s value is more than motherhood.”
She is right. And she believes every woman deserves respect, dignity, and access to healthcare, regardless of whether she has a child.
A true solution begins with real doctors helping real people, in Africa, for Africans. Merck Foundation has tackled this head-on through massive medical training.
To date, they have awarded more than 574 scholarships to doctors from 39 African and Asian countries. These doctors receive training in embryology, fertility treatments, and reproductive medicine. Many came from places that had no fertility expertise; now they return home capable of offering hope and healing.
Most remarkable, over 60 of these trained doctors have gained hands-on experience setting up and running IVF centers. Thanks to this investment, countries including Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Guinea, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, and The Gambia now have the first public IVF clinics in their histories. This progress means normal people—farmers, teachers, nurses—can access fertility care at affordable prices in their hometown hospitals.
Take Rwanda, for example. Before the Foundation’s support, couples needing IVF faced long, expensive trips abroad. Now, their first national public IVF center is a reality, staffed by doctors trained through the program. Imagine the relief and joy when couples can seek help without leaving home.
Such clinics are guided by international safety and ethical standards. Couples receive full medical histories, proper counseling, and expert care. And for women who once felt hopeless, losing their faith and families, this is a fresh start.
Medicine alone isn’t enough. In many communities, infertility is paired with silence. Change must happen in hearts and minds too, and Merck Foundation understands this deeply.
They are using music, fashion, drama, television, and journalism, all powerful tools, to reshape public opinion.
“Life Is Bigger” is one of more than 14 advocacy songs in local languages. It bravely talks about male infertility, urging men to share responsibility, an important break from tradition.
Their pan-African show, “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” is hosted by Dr. Kelej herself. Each episode tackles tough topics, with one focusing on breaking the silence around infertility.
The Media Recognition Awards honor journalists who cover infertility with care and accuracy. In 2023, 83 journalists from 22 countries were recognized. These stories make a real difference, reporting that replaces shame with empathy.
By using public platforms, the message is clear: infertility is not shameful, and understanding it is a sign of compassion.
Another brilliant move by Merck Foundation is its “More Than a Father” campaign. This focuses on men, encouraging them to take responsibility too.
Traditionally, men are not expected to get fertility tests. But science shows that 50% of infertility cases are linked to male factors. The campaign challenges men to be part of the journey, not just observers.
It promotes testing, emotional support, and shared decision-making. This is helping reduce blame on women and strengthening couples.
To make real change, Merck Foundation partners with people in power.
They work with First Ladies in 24+ African countries who serve as ambassadors for the campaign.
They collaborate with health ministries and medical councils.
In Kenya, their support helped create the country’s first law to regulate IVF services, making sure fertility clinics are safe, legal, and affordable.
These partnerships ensure that infertility is taken seriously at the highest levels.
Another powerful arm of Merck Foundation’s work is their focus on women in science.
Through the UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit, young female scientists are given scholarships, mentorship, and platforms to carry out health research. These women are not only breaking stereotypes, they are building Africa’s future health systems.
The results of this work are already visible: In Ethiopia, couples are receiving fertility care in public hospitals for the first time. In Burundi, trained doctors are beginning IVF procedures locally. In The Gambia, reproductive health services are improving thanks to Merck-trained experts. Across 39 countries, couples who once suffered in silence now have hope. These are not just numbers. These are people, women who were once shamed and forgotten, now treated with kindness, respect, and medical care.
Dr. Kelej explains it best: “This is not just about giving birth. It’s about giving people back their dignity. It’s about understanding, love, and equality.”
That’s what “More Than a Mother” truly stands for.
What we can all do is talk more openly about infertility.
Stop blaming women.
Let’s encourage couples to seek medical help together.
Let’s support laws that protect and improve fertility care.
And most of all, let’s treat every woman as valuable, with or without children.
Merck Foundation’s work is more than a healthcare project. It is a movement of love, built on science, empathy, and action. It is helping Africa break the silence, treat the pain, and rebuild hope.
In this powerful shift, women are reclaiming their lives. Men are joining the conversation. Communities are beginning to understand that infertility is not a curse, but a medical condition, and one that can often be treated.