{"id":7088,"date":"2025-01-15T13:34:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T09:34:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7088"},"modified":"2025-01-15T13:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T09:34:06","slug":"merck-foundation-ceo-announce-the-gambia-first-lady-partnership-journey-from-2017-to-2023-to-transform-patient-care-empower-infertile-women-support-girl-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7088","title":{"rendered":"Merck Foundation CEO announce The Gambia First Lady Partnership Journey from 2017 to 2023 to Transform Patient Care, Empower Infertile Women &amp; Support Girl Education"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-11.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><em><strong>Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW,&nbsp;The First Lady of The Gambia.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Merck Foundation CEO and The Gambia First Lady meet during 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 to approve their future strategy and announce their impact report and call for action to build healthcare capacity and empower women &amp; girls in The Gambia.<\/strong><br><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with The Gambia First lady and other partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond.<\/strong><br><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Watch the overview of the 2-day Hybrid 9th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 here:<\/strong><br>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5m4k9Z_M7tg<\/li><\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-2-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7090\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-2-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-2-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-2-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image-2.jpeg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recently conducted their annual conference, the&nbsp;<strong>9th Edition of \u201cMerck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary\u201d<\/strong>. The conference was inaugurated by&nbsp;<strong>Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia &amp; Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;along with&nbsp;<strong>African First Ladies of Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Angola and Central Africa.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7091\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-3-300x182.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp with African First Ladies during the 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p><strong>\u201cH.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia &amp; Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>is our long-term partner since 2017. We had a long meeting during 9th edition of our Luminary to discuss our joint programs and strategy and report its impact. I am proud to share that together we have provided&nbsp;<strong>34 scholarships<\/strong>&nbsp;to young Gambian doctors in many critical and underserved specialties including Fertility &amp; Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Sexual &amp; Reproductive Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Acute Medicine. Together, we are making history in The Gambia by providing training to first specialists in many fields such as Oncology, Respiratory, Fertility, Embryology, Reproductive Care, Diabetes, Endocrinology and more\u201d, emphasized&nbsp;<strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"901\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-32.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7092\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-32.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-32-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia &amp; Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0emphasized, \u201cOur partnership journey is growing from strength to strength as we have achieved many important and significant milestones since 2017, when I hosted Merck Foundation CEO and together, we launched the programs in my country. Together we have been able to provide\u00a0<strong>34 medical scholarships to our young doctors.<\/strong>\u00a0We consider it to be a very high number for our country and will contribute significantly to The Gambia&#8217;s health security and its economic and social development.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-36.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7093\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-36.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-36-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-33.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7094\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-33.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-33-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>Together we are also working on various initiatives to raise awareness about critical social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, supporting Girl Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage &amp; FGM, diabetes &amp; hypertension awareness. We have launched together 7 children\u2019s storybooks on these issues to sensitize them from young ages. Furthermore, we have also launched awards of best media, song, film and fashion designs to encourage our journalists and artists to raise awareness on these important topics\u201d.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch partnership journey of Merck Foundation with The Gambia First Lady:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Merck Foundation &amp; The Gambia First Lady Partnership Journey 2017- 2022\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UFzXT8zIrGY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch the video of The First Lady of The Gambia &amp; Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d during the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 here:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"The Gambia First Lady H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW from 9th Merck Foundation AfricaAsia Luminary\u20132022\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IOzfJ_izAoQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p>On day 2 of the Luminary<strong>, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting<\/strong>\u00a0was also conducted between The First Ladies and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO. During the MFFLI committee meeting, the future strategy of 2023 was discussed and the impact of their partnership programs since 2017, were announced.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7095\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><em>Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative &#8211; MFFLI Committee 2022<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cI personally enjoyed our reading session of Children\u2019s storybooks created by Merck Foundation, \u2018Jackline\u2019s Rescue\u2019 \u2013 to focus on the importance of Girl Education and highlight the immoral practices of society including child marriage &amp; dowry system; and \u2018A Ride Into The Future\u2019 \u2013 to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education. It was my favorite part of MFFLI committee, I hope we keep doing this every year\u201d,&nbsp;<strong>Senator Rasha Kelej<\/strong>&nbsp;emphasized.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch the video of MFFLI<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>committee meeting:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej @ Merck Foundation Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI Committee 2022\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hGd8fTM7qwg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>During the Luminary, an important one to one meeting between The First Lady of The Gambia and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej was held to discuss the impact of on-going programs and define strategies to further build healthcare and media capacity in The Gambia.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch the video of\u00a0<strong>Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving The Gambia First Lady, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Senator,Dr.Rasha Kelej receives TheGambia First Lady @ 9th Merck Foundation AfricaAsia Luminary-2022\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CtYPdbRl4wo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>Together with&nbsp;<strong>The Gambia First Lady, Merck Foundation<\/strong>&nbsp;has made history by providing&nbsp;<strong>34 scholarships<\/strong>&nbsp;so far, out of which&nbsp;<strong>19 scholarships have been provided for Fertility Training and one year Post Graduate Diploma, two-year Master degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, to be the first specialists in The Gambia.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7096\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-11-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-34.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7097\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-34.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-34-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>Moreover,\u00a0<strong>5 scholarships\u00a0<\/strong>have been provided for Diabetes specialty training,\u00a0<strong>2 scholarships\u00a0<\/strong>for the Oncology Fellowship program,\u00a0<strong>7 scholarships\u00a0<\/strong>for One Year PG Diploma and two-year Master degree in<strong>\u00a0Acute Medicine and Respiratory Medicine\u00a0<\/strong>andalso<strong>\u00a01 scholarship\u00a0<\/strong>for Two years PG Diploma in<strong>\u00a0Neonatal Medicine<\/strong>, to also be the first specialists in their country.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7098\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-13.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-13-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7099\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-15.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-15-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>\u201cMerck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working towards this since 2012. We will continue to provide medical training to Gambian doctors in various medical specialties in partnership with the&nbsp;<strong>First Lady of The Gambia<\/strong>&#8220;, assured&nbsp;<strong>Senator,<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The Gambia First Lady<\/strong>&nbsp;has also initiated their program<strong>&nbsp;\u201cEducating Linda\u201d,<\/strong>&nbsp;to support the education of&nbsp;<strong>20<\/strong>&nbsp;underprivileged but brilliant schoolgirls by providing scholarships till they graduate. Moreover,&nbsp;<strong>3000<\/strong>&nbsp;sets of essential school items were provided to Gambian school-going girls.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"901\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-37.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7100\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-37.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-37-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>Moreover,<strong>\u00a0Merck Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0together with\u00a0<strong>The First Lady of Gambia<\/strong>\u00a0conducted their online Health Media Training and also celebrated the winners of the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards. The training was conducted to emphasize on the important and critical role of media to sensitize the communities about the social and health issues such as: breaking infertility stigma, ending child marriage, supporting girl education and diabetes &amp; hypertension prevention and early detection.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7101\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-9.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-9-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7102\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-5.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-5-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>&nbsp;also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in&nbsp;<strong>partnership<\/strong>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of The Gambia&nbsp;<\/strong>for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Link to all <a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/Upcoming-Programs-&amp;-Call-For-Applications\"><strong>https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/Upcoming-Programs-&amp;-Call-For-Applications<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage--1024x722.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7103\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage--1024x722.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage--300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage--768x541.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage--1536x1083.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0in partnership with\u00a0<strong>The Gambia First Lady<\/strong>\u00a0has also launched an empowering song to break the stigma around infertility in Africa and the rest of the world as part of \u2018More than a Mother\u2019 community awareness campaign. The song urges men to support their wives during the treatment journey of building a family and delivers an important message \u2018Fertility is a Shared Responsibility\u2019. It has been written and composed by\u00a0<strong>Sunita,<\/strong>\u00a0a young female artist from The Gambia.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Listen to the Song:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Merck More than a Mother song by Sunita Daffeh from Gambia.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Cb0SEqMO0Sc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p>The\u00a0<strong>9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022\u00a0<\/strong>was\u00a0<strong>streamed live on the social media handles of\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/merckfoundation\/\"><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong><\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/KelejRasha\/\"><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p><p><a>Link to the Facebook live steam of&nbsp;<strong>Inaugural Session of<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary &amp; African First Ladies High Level Panel:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/videos\/1578702445903102\"><strong>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/videos\/1578702445903102<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>&nbsp;is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with its partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>1470 + Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 50 Countries in 32 critical and underserved medical specialties. \u00a0<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>&nbsp;is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2200 + Media Persons<\/strong>\u00a0from more than\u00a0<strong>50 countries<\/strong>\u00a0trained to better raise Awareness about different social and health issues<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>8 Different Awards<\/strong>\u00a0Launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs<\/li>\n\n<li>Around\u00a0<strong>30 songs<\/strong>\u00a0to address health and social issues by local singers across Africa<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>8 Children\u2019s Storybooks<\/strong>\u00a0in three languages &#8211; English, French, and Portuguese<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Pan African TV Program &#8220;Our Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through \u201cFashion and ART with Purpose\u201d Community<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>1000+ Girls from 15 African<\/strong>\u00a0countries supported through scholarships or school items, annually.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>9 Social Media Channels<\/strong>\u00a0with more than\u00a0<strong>5 Million Followers.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7104\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7105\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7106\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-7.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-22.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7108\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-22.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-22-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-23.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7109\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-23.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-23-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7110\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-25.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-25-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-28.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7111\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-28.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-28-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-31.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7112\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-31.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-31-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-29.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7113\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-29.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-29-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-27.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7114\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-27.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-27-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7115\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-12-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7117\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-8.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-8-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7118\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-17.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-17-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-20.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7119\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-20.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-20-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"901\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-301.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7120\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-301.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Merck-Foundation-and-Gambia-First-Lady-Partnetship-Journey-301-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW,&nbsp;The First Lady of The Gambia. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recently conducted their annual conference, the&nbsp;9th Edition of \u201cMerck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary\u201d. The conference was inaugurated by&nbsp;Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of both of Executive Board of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7089,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Merck Foundation CEO announce The Gambia First Lady Partnership Journey from 2017 to 2023 to Transform Patient Care, Empower Infertile Women &amp; Support Girl Education | Rasha Kelej<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7088\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Merck Foundation CEO announce The Gambia First Lady Partnership Journey from 2017 to 2023 to Transform Patient Care, Empower Infertile Women &amp; Support Girl Education | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. 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