As the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it was revealed there that a total of 2280 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.
The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Dr Rasha Kelej revealed that many of the Merck Foundation Alumni are becoming the first specialists in their respective countries.
“Together with our Ambassadors and Partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond,” added Senator Kelej who is also the President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative.
The Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 was inaugurated by Prof Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.
The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
The First Ladies of Africa and Asia are also Ambassadors of the Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother!’ campaign and have collectively exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of programs aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.
Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added that at Merck Foundation, the goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in Africa, Asia and beyond.
“I would like to sincerely thank our ambassadors and partners. Together, with your unwavering support and collaboration, we will continue to work towards our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life,” Dr Haverkamp added.
The First Ladies in Attendance
- Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola
- Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
- Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
- Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
- Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
- Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
- Mrs. RACHEL RUTO, The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
- Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
- Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
- Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
- Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
- Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe
The signature campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a mother,” aims at empowering infertile and childless women by providing access to information, education, and change of mind set.
Out of the total 2280 scholarships, more than 700 education grants have been provided for training in Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine, to improve access to fertility care and women’s health.
During the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012.
On the first day, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative featured a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.
The second day’s session will emphasized the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls’ Education, Stopping Gender-based violence, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.
Conducted in a hybrid format, the event enabled over 6,000 audiences from more than 70 countries to benefit, meet and discuss strategies and solutions for the health and social challenges in their countries safely and effectively.
Countries participating in the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative include Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Others are Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.