From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Wives of African First Ladies have registered their concerns and worry over the increasing discrimination and stigma against women who are finding it difficult to biologically bear their own children.
They, however, suggested that other methods which have proven efficient should be adopted by the concerned women so they can have their children and enjoy their lives.
The African First Ladies made the suggestions at the virtual 9th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Conference on Wednesday, suggesting that a positive attitude would help demystify challenges infertile couples face.
Ghana First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, in her presentation kicked against the stigmatisation of couples who are unable to bear children, describing the culture of stigmatising childless couples in societies as ‘gross injustice’.
She said: “Infertility especially for African women is a huge challenge. Growing up, I saw how stigma and lack of support traumatised women labelled as infertile. To me, this was gross injustice.”
Mrs. Akufo-Addo thus noted that Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” initiative, aimed at breaking the stigma around infertility strikes a chord in her heart, considering the fact that it seeks to throw light on infertility and its attendant stigma, particularly against women.
She confirmed that the support provided by Merck Foundation to support infertility and other medical conditions in Ghana has been immense and through the support, Ghana has received an opportunity for specialist training for some Ghanaian medical officers.
The First Lady of Malawi, Monica Chakwera called for a behavioural and mindset change to demystify the challenges infertile women and couples face in Africa.
She pledged support to improve the welfare of infertile women who are vulnerable to forms of abuse. “We welcome the long-term partnership with Merck Foundation and with all First Ladies of Africa to establish a strong platform of specialised and well-trained health experts to transform the healthcare sector in Malawi.”
In her submission, the First lady of Botswana, Neo Masisi, noted the Merck Foundation’s contribution in ensuring that African countries have quality and equitable healthcare capacity, stressing that the partnership with Merck Foundation will help ensure that there is healthcare for all by 2030.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, in her remarks, commended African First Ladies for their collaborative roles in breaking infertility stigma on the African Continent, as well as helping to train more specialised doctors for the continent’s healthcare sector.
Senator Dr. Kelej, said the inputs by the various African First Ladies have gone far to raise awareness on the Merck Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother’ initiative, which seeks to break stigma around infertility in Africa.
She expressed hope that the conferences would help to discuss strategies and solutions to improve quality healthcare delivery in the various African countries.
“I am happy that the Merck Foundation has realised the strategy to improve access to quality healthcare solutions in each country in Africa,” Senator Dr. Kelej noted.
She said Merck Foundation through its scholarships has built the capacities of medical doctors across various African countries in diabetes, cardiovascular, endocrinology, cancer, fertility care, women health, sexual and reproductive care, respiratory medicines, acute medicines, and research.