Merck Launches 7th Episode of ‘Our Africa’ TV Program Focused on Coronavirus Awareness

The seventh episode focuses on Coronavirus health awareness, addressing the global pandemic’s impact and advocating for preventive measures.

The Merck Foundation has unveiled the seventh episode of their pioneering TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation,’ which is now available on their social media channels. Conceptualized and co-hosted by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, the show aims to highlight African fashion designers, singers, and experts to foster awareness and cultural change across the continent.

The program, currently airing on KTN Home in Kenya every Saturday at 5 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am, has also been broadcast on major TV stations across Africa, including BTV (Botswana), Mashariki TV (Burundi), GHOne & TV3 (Ghana), QTV (The Gambia), and others. The show is set to expand to additional networks like GTV in Ghana, NBC in Namibia, and ZTN in Zimbabwe.

The seventh episode focuses on Coronavirus health awareness, addressing the global pandemic’s impact and advocating for preventive measures. The episode features designs by Gabriel Froid from Mauritius and Kinneh Mbenga from The Gambia, and includes contributions from Ghanaian singer Cwezi and Mauritian nutritionist Teenusha Soobrah.

A highlight of this episode is the song “My White Army,” produced and directed by Dr. Kelej. This pan-African song, featuring singers from 11 countries and performed in Arabic, English, and French, serves as a tribute to frontline healthcare workers combating the coronavirus.

Dr. Kelej expressed gratitude for the positive reception of the show and highlighted its role in raising awareness about critical social and health issues through fashion and art. The program aims to break silences around topics like diabetes, infertility stigma, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

In addition to the TV program, the Merck Foundation has partnered with 20 African First Ladies to support COVID-19 response efforts. Their initiatives include community support, healthcare capacity building, and awareness campaigns. The Foundation has provided 165 scholarships to doctors across 25 countries and launched media awards and a storybook titled “Make the Right Choice” to educate children and youth about the pandemic.

Dr. Kelej encouraged viewers to stay tuned for upcoming episodes, promising more informative and entertaining content.

Watch the seventh episode and the “My White Army” song here:

Seventh Episode

“My White Army”

Promo of Seventh Episode

For more information and updates, follow ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.