Messages

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking International Women’s Day 2025 through Their Impactful Development Programs

We at Merck Foundation, together with African First Ladies, mark Women’s Day every day through our impactful development programs, which aim to empower women and girls in education, healthcare, and economic independence. Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed, […]

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking International Women’s Day 2025 through Their Impactful Development Programs Read More »

Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Marking ‘World Art Day 2025’ through Our Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community and Awards in Partnership with Africa’s First Ladies

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation during Our Africa TV Program. I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go

Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Marking ‘World Art Day 2025’ through Our Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community and Awards in Partnership with Africa’s First Ladies Read More »

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking World Health Day 2025, Together with African First Ladies by Providing 2,250 Scholarships for Future Specialists in 44 Critical Medical Fields Across 52 Countries

We mark “World Health Day 2025” through our daily efforts in building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care in Africa, Asia and beyond. Together with our Ambassadors, the First Ladies of Africa, and partners including Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we have provided more than 2,250 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking World Health Day 2025, Together with African First Ladies by Providing 2,250 Scholarships for Future Specialists in 44 Critical Medical Fields Across 52 Countries Read More »

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Celebrating the 125 Winners of the 2024 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards and Announcing the 2025 Awards in Partnership with African First Ladies

I am proud to announce the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. We have 125 winners from 36 countries in partnership with my dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. The theme of “More Than a Mother”

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Celebrating the 125 Winners of the 2024 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards and Announcing the 2025 Awards in Partnership with African First Ladies Read More »

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Congratulating H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, President of Tanzania, for Receiving the ‘Mother of the Nation Order’ from the President of the United Arab Emirates

H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, during the 11th Edition of the Merck Foundation Annual Conference. Heartfelt Congratulations to H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on being awarded the prestigious ‘Mother of the Nation Order’ by

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Congratulating H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, President of Tanzania, for Receiving the ‘Mother of the Nation Order’ from the President of the United Arab Emirates Read More »

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Marking ‘World Hypertension Day’ 2025 by Transforming Hypertension, Cardiovascular, and Diabetes Care through Scholarships and Community Awareness Programs

At Merck Foundation we observe “World Hypertension Day” by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiovascular preventive care, which are all co-related, by providing scholarships for young doctors across Africa and beyond. Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Marking ‘World Hypertension Day’ 2025 by Transforming Hypertension, Cardiovascular, and Diabetes Care through Scholarships and Community Awareness Programs Read More »

Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI), on the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 in Dubai

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, and 14 First Ladies inaugurate the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit in Dubai. The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 was conducted on 19th and 20th June in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation

Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI), on the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 in Dubai Read More »

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of Maldives, to Discuss Scaling Up Joint Programs to Transform Patient Care and Address Critical Social and Health Issues

I am proud to share the success of our high-level meeting with my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives, and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, alongside Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT, held at the Official Residence of the President in

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of Maldives, to Discuss Scaling Up Joint Programs to Transform Patient Care and Address Critical Social and Health Issues Read More »

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Mauritius, to Strengthen Healthcare and Empower Women in STEM

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation met HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Republic of Mauritius It was a great honor to meet HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL,, The President of Mauritius and share with him the impact of our partnership and programs since 2017 that aim to transform patient care, build healthcare and media capacity, to empower

Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Mauritius, to Strengthen Healthcare and Empower Women in STEM Read More »

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Being Featured by Vogue India for Transforming Creativity into a Force for Social Change

Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej with schoolgirls in Namibia I am truly honored to be featured by Vogue India in their article, “Leading with Courage and Conviction: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on empowering women, advancing healthcare, and transforming media in Africa.” This recognition celebrates our innovative approach at Merck Foundation to harness the power of art, fashion, and media to

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Being Featured by Vogue India for Transforming Creativity into a Force for Social Change Read More »