Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, about the MFFLI Committee Meeting held with First Ladies of Africa and Asia call for action to build healthcare and Media capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, and 14 First Ladies inaugurate the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit in Dubai 2025

I am happy to share about the the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee (MFFLI) that was conducted on the Day 2 of the 7^thEdition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit, which was was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

We conducted the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting alongside our Merck Foundation Chairman and my dear sisters, the First Ladies of African and Asian, who are also our Ambassadors of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign.

Together, we reviewed the impact of our programs and outlined our 2026 strategy to build and strengthen healthcare & media capacity and address critical social and health issues including Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and FGM, Stopping GBV, Empowering Women, and raising awareness about health concerns such as Diabetes and Hypertension.

I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2270 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.

During the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting, the First Ladies shared the impact of their partnership journey with Merck Foundation.

Please watch here the video of the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting.