Adapting Universal Principles to Local Needs is Key to Achieving Lasting Change
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, recently published an article titled 'Leadership Beyond the Obvious: Universal Rights Need Local Understanding' as part of her virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform.
In this article, Dr. Kelej emphasizes that universal principles such as dignity, safety, opportunity, and access to care must be translated into action that responds to local realities, priorities, cultural contexts, and the needs of communities being served.
She shares several examples from her work at Merck Foundation, including addressing infertility stigma, cancer care, mental healthcare, girls' education, and inclusion of people with disabilities in Africa, where the foundation invests in training healthcare professionals and works with governments, healthcare providers, First Ladies, Presidents, educators, media, artists, and communities.
Dr. Kelej highlights the importance of building local capacity to carry change forward through training healthcare specialists who can care for patients, train others, and help build services that continue to grow independently.