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Our Africa by Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com) TV show is now airing on LNTV, Liberia; AYV, Sierra Leone and ZNBC, Zambia after great success on GH One TV, Ghana; NTV, Uganda and KTN, Kenya; 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' is a pan-African television show conceptualized, produced, directed and co-hosted by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, featuring African fashion designers, singers and leading experts from various domains with the goal of raising awareness and creating cultural change in Africa, such as: diabetes, ending child marriage, supporting girls' education, empowering women, stopping gender-based violence, ending female genital mutilation and end the stigma of infertility, among other social and health problems that affect the continent.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, launched the 15th episode of its TV show: "Our Africa by Merck Foundation" on GH One TV, Ghana on Sunday, August 21, 2022 on GH One TV, Ghana, on repeat on Monday 22.
August at 1:30 p.m. The TV show is also broadcast on LNTV, Liberia every Saturday at 6 p.m. (GMT) and repeats on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (GMT) and AYV, Sierra Leone every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Soon ZNBC, Zambia time will be reported.
The TV show is also published on all of the Merck Foundation's social media channels and on all television channels; KTN, NTV, GH One TV, LNTV and AYV.
The fifteenth episode of the television show "Our Africa by Merck Foundation" is the final episode of season 1 and summarizes the discussions that have taken place in all the previous episodes that address and raise awareness of various sensitive health and social issues related to the African continent, such as: breaking the stigma of infertility, the importance of early detection and prevention of diabetes, supporting girls' education, promoting a healthy lifestyle, ending female genital mutilation (FGM ), coronavirus health awareness, sustainability and recycled fashion, and gender-based violence (GBV).
The TV show has received phenomenal feedback from viewers in all four countries and from social media followers in Africa and beyond.
Watch the fifteenth episode promo here: https://bit.ly/3pUC03U Watch the fifteenth episode here: https://bit.ly/3AVNwCr "Our Africa by Merck Foundation" is a Pan-African TV Show Conceptualized, Produced, Directed and co-hosted by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Executive Director of the Merck Foundation, will feature African fashion designers, singers and leading experts from various domains with the aim of raising awareness and creating cultural change in Africa.
The TV show is co-hosted by Brian Mulondo from Uganda.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Executive Director of the Merck Foundation, said, “I would like to thank our viewers and social media followers for the great feedback we have received on our television show: 'Our Merck Foundation Africa '.
I am deeply moved by all the messages we have been receiving on our Social Networks appreciating the TV show.
The Fifteenth Episode is a recap of all the topics we've been discussing on the TV show so far.
The television program 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' aims to help raise awareness in communities on different social and health issues, such as ending female genital mutilation, ending child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, breaking the stigma of infertility, supporting girls' education, diabetes and healthy lifestyle awareness, coronavirus awareness, sustainable fashion and more.” The television program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” is currently broadcast on the following television channels: - Every Saturday at 6 pm (GMT) on LNTV, Liberia; broadcast on Sunday at 4:30 pm (GMT) - Every Wednesday at 4:30 pm.
NTV, Uganda.
See the 'Our Merck Foundation Africa' promo here: https://bit.ly/3CEV3GY The 15th episode of 'Our Merck Foundation Africa', hosted by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, summarizes all the discussions previous ones that have taken place in the television program.
The senator, Dr. Rasha, recalled her conversations with guests and designers who have appeared in previous episodes.
This episode also featured the Merck Foundation song "Girl Can" by artists Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively.
Watch and listen to this song here: https://bit.ly/3BrdQTp “The television show 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' has been our effort to reach out to youth and others in our urban and rural communities with the goal of address and raise awareness of a wide range of pressing health and social issues that are relevant to our continent.
I am very excited to bring you more seasons of the TV show 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation', stay tuned.
Get ready to be informed, stay healthy, and be entertained!” concluded Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Watch Episode 1 here: https://bit.ly/3APgLWj Watch Episode 2 here: https://bit.ly/3R1RI9a Watch Episode 3 here: https://bit.ly/3KsYAtG Watch Episode 4 here : https:/ /bit.ly/3ARJVoP Watch episode 5 here: https://bit.ly/3R8B9bk Watch episode 6 here: https://bit.ly/3pSUr8R Watch episode 7 here: https:// bit.ly/3QWuZLR Watch episode 8 here: https://bit.ly/3Q1jCke Watch episode 9 here: https://bit.ly/3Av97Ab Watch episode 10 here: https://bit.ly/3pSUMIY Watch episode 11 here: https://bit .ly/3wCWTEx Watch episode 12 here: https://bit.ly/3AVu4pm Watch episode 13 here: https://bit.ly/3PYx8W3 Watch episode 14 here : https://bit.ly/3An7ioM
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the Federal Government to strengthen routine immunization to protect more than 24,000 babies born daily, to receive all vaccines scheduled for the first two years of their lives. Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, Nigeria, made the call at an event to commemorate the 2022 African Vaccination Week (AVW) in Abuja. It was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The News Agency of Nigeria reports that AVN is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April in synchronisation with other WHO Regions and World Immunization Week (WIW). The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the African Region by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s (particularly every child and woman) need and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. The over-arching slogan of AVW is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”. However, to commemorate this year’s AVW, Nigeria hasa adoptedthe theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”. Mulombo said that he was aware of the Nigeria Strategy for Routine Immunisation and Primary Health Care Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS) 2.0. It focuses on drastically reducing the unimmunised in zero-dose children by the end of 2024. “I want to therefore appreciate the timely introduction of the Immunization Performance Recognition Awards, given the symbolic impact it would provide in ensuring that sub-national leaderships drove the enabling factors required for high and sustained immunization coverage,” he said. The WHO Rep. assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to the agenda of PHC revitalisation, immunization systems strengthening and interruption of the cVPDV2 outbreak in the country. “I am very confident with the strategies adapted and we will continue to sustain eradication of WPV in Nigeria,” he added. The Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Eduardo Blanco, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Health, said the hard work, perseverance and dedication of the frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and volunteers working to provide health and immunization services to Nigerians, was astonishing. “I have seen the hard work, efforts, commitment and perseverance of health workers at all levels; I have witnessed community volunteers working tirelessly in their communities. “I have seen health workers working 247 to provide services to women and children And I have observed the leadership, commitment and sound technical knowledge of NPHCDA and Federal Ministry of Health staff at all levels,” Blanco said. Dr Melissa Freeman, Rep. USAID Nigeria, said as Nigeria celebrated, it must not forget to continuously emphasise that vaccines and hand washing remained the most effective public health measures for disease prevention and control. Freeman said the country had made progress in improving routine immunization and reaching zero doses and under-immunized children. “It is my earnest hope that we continue making progress until we can globally eliminate more than just smallpox. “USAID Routine Immunization programmes are implemented across 16 states, including humanitarian settings. She said the polio programmes provided support since 1998, contributing to the wild polio eradication three years ago. “At the same time, USAID supported routine immunization and global health security efforts to strengthen surveillance and response to newly emerging diseases,” she said. She, however, said she looked forward to the outcomes of USAID’s $33.3 million support for the SCALES 3.0 COVID-19 vaccination acceleration across 36 states and the FCT. According to her, that would help ensure shots in arms for the U. S. Government donation of over 48 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, on the sideline of the event, the Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria (BA-N), with support from USAID, had a soft launch of its newest COVID-19 Social Behaviour Change campaign tagged “Follow Who Know Road (FWKR)”. At their exhibition stand to commemorate the AWV, they distributed some promotional materials such as T-shirts, Face caps, Lapel pins, Bumper stickers, jotters, fliers, and danglers and also shared out different SBC materials across all programme areas, including Tuberculosis, Nutrition, Family Planning, Malaria. In the last three years, in spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, social and economic wellbeing of Nigerians, Nigeria had continued to make significant strides by repositioning itself to deliver high-impact and cost-effective interventions through its programmes and policies. These interventions are deliberately developed and implemented through National Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC), National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC) and Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services (CHIPS). However, as these strides are being made towards reducing the high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in the country, some gaps remain, especially in the areas of demand generation and funding. This prompted the need for collaboration and partnership with different stakeholders to complement government efforts. The commemoration of 2022 African Vaccination Week is an opportunity for Nigeria to galvanise action in partnership with relevant stakeholders. This will draw National and Global attention to the importance of immunization as most cost-effective public health intervention for “long life and healthy living”. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA), has recognised and rewarded 15 states of the federation for the implementation of best practices in COVID-19 vaccination and Routine Immunizations.
The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, explained at the ceremony on Friday in Abuja, that the 15 states distinguished themselves with the highest qualities and best practices in providing technical and programmatic support to Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria , reports that the award was organised to commemorate the 2022 African Vaccination Week, (AVN).
AVN is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April in synchronisation with other World Health Organization (WHO) Regions and World Immunization Week (WIW).
He said that It was also a day to physically meet friends and colleagues for mutual reflections and celebration of their collaborative efforts.
“Our history in the last two years has been inundated with the challenges of COVID-19 emergency, even as we were battling through to eradicate circulating variant polio virus, monkeypox and improve uptake of primary health care services in the country.
“We may not be able to satisfactorily reward those who will be receiving awards today, or adequately cover everyone who deserves to be rewarded.
“But we recognize and are sincerely thankful to everyone because we know that no matter how big a tree might be, it cannot make a forest alone.
He said that the agency prides on the progress made as a country in reaching 42 million eligible persons with COVID-19 vaccines as of Friday.
He added that about 29.6 million of the persons were fully vaccinated, while others were either waiting for their due date for the second dose or on the list of those who were hesitant of taking their second dose.
“Of course, the struggle continues, and it is a matter of sworn trust that we protect the health of our people.
“It is not easy walking through the high-impact of misinformation and disinformation and getting people to willingly accept the COVID-19 vaccine.
“To a lesser extent, we had some experience with polio immunization, but today we have been certified wild polio virus-free!
Even the emergence of the circulating variant poliovirus has been significantly controlled in Nigeria,” he said.
He said that the agency set aside a variety of awards for different categories of performances and ensured that the selection criteria were scientific and transparent.
“The selection process was backed by data and was rigorously scrutinized by partners.
“The reward for Hard work is more work.
Let us continue to remain committed to the cause of ensuring all Nigerians are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
The NPHCDA boss said the states awarded included Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Ebonyi, Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Cross River, Ogun, Abia, Nasarawa, Kano and Yobe.
The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the African Region by increasing awareness of the importance of every person (particularly every child and woman), needs and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
It aims at keeping immunization high on the national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships and promotes the delivery of other high-impact lifesaving interventions.
The over-arching slogan of AVW is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”
However, to commemorate this year’s AVW, Nigeria adopted the theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”.
www.
ng
AIR
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Federal Government has rewarded 15 states of the federation for their outstanding performance on routine immunisation and COVID-19 response.
The awards were given through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said the awards were meant to recognise those who made remarkable contributions to immunisation in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the award was organised to commemorate the 2022 African Vaccination Week (AVN).
AVN is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April in synchronisation with other World Health Organization (WHO) Regions and World Immunisation Week (WIW).
Mustapha said overcoming the misconceptions that followed vaccination was part of why the country had engagements with stakeholders and partners to promote vaccination uptake across the nation.
The SGF said this was further strengthened by conspiracy theories, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the peak, our traditional religious leaders who are community gatekeepers were not left out in the struggle.
“They invested their energy and time in mobilising the communities for the uptake of our health workers, some of whom we have lost along the way.
He said they moved around the communities from house to house to ensure that every eligible child received vaccines and was protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“We are here together today to reward excellence or excellent performance by individuals and states that have encouraged the vaccination in their states,” he said.
According to him, While it is safe to mention the impressive decline of death arising from COVID-19 due to the ongoing vaccination.
” We should not rest yet as the virus is still very much with us.
”
The SGF said that the COVID-19 virus mutated and that made it more dangerous, calling on Nigerians to take all precautions.
“I had the privilege some couple of weeks ago, along with the emir of Argungu, the health minister, and those that attended the launch of the SCALES 3.0 to take our second booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
“That guarantees that the vaccine is safe and efficacious.
“So I would ask every one of you here that have not availed themselves to take the booster doses and first be prepared to take that second because COVID-19 is not in a hurry to go.
“Most of this is to encourage all around us to get vaccinated as a matter of priority,” he said.
According to Mustapha, “as of Monday, from the records I have, we have about 43 million doses of different brands of vaccines in our cold storage facilities.
“So there is no vaccine shortage, what we have probably is vaccine hesitancy and as long as we do not get ourselves and our loved ones across the nation in our villages and our communities vaccinated, we have a long way to go.
“This is where I will continue to appeal to our traditional institutions because they are close to our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, said Vaccination had made an important contribution to the decreased incidence of numerous infectious diseases and associated mortality.
The Sultan was represented by the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery (NTLC), and Emir of Argungu Alhaji Samaila Mera.
He said that as traditional rulers, they would continue to collaborate with their communities to ensure that they take advantage of the health programmes to improve their health outcomes.
The states awarded were Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Ebonyi, Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Cross River, Ogun, Abia, Nasarawa, Kano and Yobe.
The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunisation programmes by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
It aims at keeping immunisation high on the national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships, and promotes the delivery of other high-impact life-saving interventions.
The AVW provides opportunities for countries to strengthen the delivery of immunisation services and draws attention to the progress made towards ensuring access to basic life-saving vaccination across the
continent.
The over-arching slogan of AVW is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”.
However, to commemorate this year’s AVW, Nigeria has adopted the theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”.
www.
ng
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
