By Veronica Mrema - Dar es Salaam
It's a great honor and a remarkable milestone that the Merck Foundation has chosen Tanzania as the host of its 11th annual conference, bringing together ambassadors from various countries worldwide.
The unique health sector meeting is expected to take place over for two days, on October 29 and 30, 2024, in Dar es Salaam.
It expected that will be inaugurated by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan and will be attended by approximately 600 in-person participants who will travel directly to Tanzania.
The first Ladies from 22 African countries, who serve as high-profile ambassadors for the Merck Foundation, have already confirmed their participation.
Other attendees will include distinguished health experts and researchers, ambassadors representing countries from which the First Ladies hail, policymakers, and members of the media.
"We have selected Tanzania as the host of this conference because we have been deeply impressed by the substantial investment made by the government in the health sector,".
Explained Merck Foundation CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej earlier today during a special press conference.
She further added, "The leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is exemplary, that is why we did not hesitate to come to Tanzania.
"For many years, the Merck Foundation has closely collaborated with Tanzania, especially in sponsoring education for healthcare professionals." She added.
Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, outlined the countries from which First Ladies have confirmed their attendance. 
"Including Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gambia, Ghana, and Kenya.
"Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.
"South Africa, Comoros, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and host Tanzania will also be represented by the First Lady of Zanzibar and Chairperson of the Revolutionary Council, Mama Mariam Mwinyi," she added.
The conference will also be attended by health, gender, communications, education, and social welfare ministers from the invited countries.
"45 professional delegates who will accompanying the First Ladies from these countries, 500 healthcare professionals, scholars, policymakers, and journalists will also be in attendance."
She further mentioned that "Ambassadors representing the countries whose First Ladies have been invited, as well as Tanzanian ambassadors to these countries, will also attend the conference."
"In addition, approximately 500 other participants from various parts of the world will join the conference virtually," she added.
The conference is expected to pave the way for the implementation of new commitments to be made by the First Ladies, ministers, and the Merck Foundation team.
"It is focused on ensuring equitable and improved access to quality healthcare services for the people of Africa, particularly from the countries represented at this meeting, including Tanzania."
The conference will serve as a platform for concrete actions to address the stigma and social perceptions surrounding infertility.
"It will also focus on improving access to safe, controlled, and effective reproductive healthcare for women and girls," she added.
Participants will benefit from the insights and expertise shared by various specialists and researchers who will delve into the topics presented.
Previous editions of this conference have been held in countries such as Germany, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, and Mauritius.
It has also taken place in Senegal, Ghana, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
Chapisha Maoni