Manipal, 18^th August 2022: A cohort of African doctors who completed the MAHE–Merck Foundation IVF Embryology training programme received their certificates from Dr Ranjan Pai, President of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) on Thursday in Manipal.

The IVF Embryology training programme offered by MAHE, and Merck Foundation aims to change attitudes towards infertility by empowering doctors and teaching advanced in-vitro fertility techniques.

Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE addressed the awardees and said “Though both man and woman are equally responsible in determining fertility, it is only the woman who is subjected to the trauma caused due to infertility. This is nowhere truer than in Africa, where infertile couples are ostracised, and medical intervention is sparse”

Monica Baawuah from Ghana who is one of the trainees of the programme said “Infertility is a serious social problem in my country and unfortunately, we are helpless due to limited facilities and expertise to offer IVF treatment to couples. But after this programme we are now confident to manage all complex infertility issues”

Dr Sharath Rao, Dean of KMC Manipal said “MAHE seeks to replicate the successes of this programme in other regions that direly need greater exposure to a healthy outlook on infertility. To address the lack of trained and skilled health professionals in this area, KMC is aiming to scale up the Embryology training program to other countries”

The training programme is offered jointly by MAHE and Merck Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany. Merck Foundation aims to strengthen healthcare resources in Africa by connecting the continent to other countries. Through their partnership with India, Merck Foundation seeks to scale up fertility care capacity in Africa and other developing countries.