Banjul: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia, recently hosted the 12th Edition of the annual “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary” conference. This significant event was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, The First Lady of The Gambia, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. The conference welcomed several First Ladies from African nations as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed the honor of co-chairing the event alongside the First Lady of The Gambia and highlighted the ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and enhancing healthcare and media capacities. She proudly announced that 94 scholarships have been provided to local healthcare providers, marking a historic step in building the first specialists in The Gambia.
H.E. Mrs. Fatoumata Bah-Barrow emphasized the transformative partnership with Merck Foundation since 2017, which has led to significant advancements in the country’s public healthcare landscape. The First Lady shared her excitement about the “Educating Linda” program, which provides annual scholarships to support the education of underprivileged schoolgirls until graduation.
The conference’s first day featured keynote speeches by the First Ladies of Africa and a panel discussion with African Ministers about the Merck Foundation African Research Summit MARS strategy, focusing on scientific research capacity and empowering women in STEM. The second day included the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) committee meeting, where the impact of Merck Foundation programs was discussed.
Merck Foundation, in partnership with The Gambia First Lady, provided 94 scholarships in critical and underserved specialties such as oncology, fertility and embryology, diabetes care, and more. This initiative significantly contributes to the advancement of women’s health and revolutionizes reproductive and fertility care in The Gambia.
Dr. Kelej reiterated Merck Foundation’s commitment to building healthcare capacity since 2012, with over 2400 scholarships provided to healthcare providers from 52 countries. The foundation also focuses on training media representatives to address social and health issues and has launched various awards to recognize excellence in media, music, fashion, and film.
Additionally, Merck Foundation has launched children’s storybooks in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia to address social and health issues. The 12th Edition of the event was streamed live on Merck Foundation’s social media platforms, further expanding its reach and impact.
Merck Foundation continues to influence patient care and address social issues through various initiatives, including scholarships, media training, awards, songs, storybooks, and awareness films. These efforts aim to create a cultural shift and break the silence on vital social and health issues across Africa and beyond.