I was honored to co-chair the 12th Edition of our annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, held in partnership with the Government of The Gambia. The conference was inaugurated by Mr. MUHAMMAD B. S. JALLOW, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and co-chaired by Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, and me. The First Ladies of Burundi, Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and São Tomé and Príncipe alsojoined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
During our meeting, we discussed our joint programs to break infertility stigma, support girl education and build healthcare capacity and media capacity. I am proud to share that till now we have provided 94 scholarships for local healthcare providers in many critical and underserved specialties. Together we are making history by providing trainings for first specialists in the country.
On Day 1 of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 took place, featuring keynote speeches of First Ladies of Africa. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was also held with African Ministers to discuss the Merck Foundation African Research Summit MARS strategy to build scientific research capacity and empower women in STEM with special focus on scientific research.
On Day 2 of the conference, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.
Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting:
Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided more than 2400 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. We will continue to provide scholarships of doctors from The Gambia and beyond.
Together with the office of the First Lady of The Gambia, we have conducted 3 editions of Online Health Media Training, to emphasize on the important role of media to address these critical social and health issues and be the voice of the voiceless. A special Merck Foundation Health Media Training session was also organized for all Gambian journalists during the conference.
Watch the Video of The First Lady of The Gambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 here:
We have also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.
Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia, we are launching our children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Ray of Hope”, “Mark’s Pressure”. The storybooks address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, and diabetes, hypertension and cancer awareness.
The 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 was streamed live across our social media platforms.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)
CEO of Merck Foundation
