According to African Press Organization, the summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, alongside Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative. H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, participated in the event, which included First Ladies from several other nations such as Angola, Cabo Verde, and Kenya.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the achievements since the partnership began in 2017, including 87 scholarships provided to Gambian doctors in specialized fields like Fertility and Embryology, Oncology, and Diabetes. These efforts have contributed to training the first specialists in The Gambia in various medical fields.
H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow expressed her excitement about the summit and noted the success of the platform in discussing strategies for the future of Africa and Asia. She emphasized the significant milestones achieved through the partnership since 2017.
On the second day of the summit, a committee meeting was held with the First Ladies and the Merck Foundation leadership to share impact reports and discuss future strategies. The collaborative efforts have resulted in scholarships for doctors in critical medical fields, including 27 scholarships in oncology and 23 scholarships in Fertility and Embryology.
Merck Foundation, since 2012, has provided 2280 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries. The foundation's initiatives aim to build healthcare capacity and address social and health issues through media training, awards, and educational materials.
In partnership with The Gambia's First Lady, Merck Foundation has launched children's storybooks addressing social and health issues and announced awards for media, musicians, and other creatives. These initiatives aim to foster awareness and spark cultural shifts within communities.
The summit and its sessions were streamed live on Merck Foundation's social media platforms, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to transforming patient care and addressing social issues in Africa, Asia, and beyond.