Merck Foundation and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in providing training programme for embryologists in Africa and Asia.

Merck Foundation, in partnership with MAHE, has launched ‘Merck Embryology Training Programme’, a certificate course in assistive reproduction and embryology, through its ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ campaign.

The training program will shoulder the responsibility of fine-tuning and honing the delicate skills of the embryologists in IVF Centres, and emphasize the importance of ethics while handling human sperm, eggs and embryos.

The main objective is to provide hands-on practical training to develop embryologists’ platform in Africa and Asia. It is also intended to increase the number of standalone embryologists, and to improve the access to cost-effective fertility care in the developing countries, since the lack of trained and skilled health personnel is the main challenge in Africa and Asia.