ISSUE 34
THE
MECTIZAN DONATION PROGRAM
2004
Return to MPN 34 Table of Contents
Merck & Co., Inc. Contributes $1 million to Help Eliminate Onchocerciasis
from the Americas
In May 2004, Merck announced the donation of $1 million to The Carter
Center for the elimination of onchocerciasis from the Americas. Merck's
contribution will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
as part of a challenge grant under which The Carter Center hopes to secure
a total of $15 million for the elimination goal. Former U.S. President
Jimmy Carter praised Merck's contribution by saying, "This generous
donation from Merck will help us to end forever the horrible suffering
caused by river blindness, which afflicts some of the poorest people in
this hemisphere." Carter further commented, "These additional
resources will mean that some day soon six countries will be free of this
scourge forever." The Carter Center, through the Onchocerciasis Elimination
Program for the Americas, will use the donation to provide financial and
technical assistance in the six endemic countries in Latin America: Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela and to increase treatment
coverage with Mectizan with a goal of eliminating disease transmission
in the region. Mr. Raymond V. Gilmartin, Merck's chairman, president,
and chief executive officer, commented: "I would like to thank
President Carter and all of our partners for their support and continued
commitment to this important public health issue. Merck is proud to
partner with The Carter Center and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
on this latest initiative to eliminate the debilitating impact of river
blindness in Latin America once and for all."