Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marked World Health Day 2025 in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies, who are Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” campaign. The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare access across Africa, Asia, and beyond through scholarships and capacity-building programs.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, stated, “For over the last 13 years, our efforts at Merck Foundation have been to ensure equitable access to healthcare through education, training, and awareness initiatives that not only help transform the patient care landscape in Africa and Asia but also empower communities and medical professionals.
“I am proud to share that with our Ambassadors, the First Ladies of Africa, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care. We achieve this by providing over 2250 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in Africa, Asia, and beyond, in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.”
The specialties include Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility Specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, and Women’s Health, among others.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African region has only 1.55 health workers, including physicians, nurses, and midwives, per 1,000 people—far below the WHO threshold density of 4.45 per 1,000 people needed to deliver essential health services and achieve universal health coverage. Merck Foundation scholarships are therefore significant in bridging healthcare gaps and improving patient care in underserved communities.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “Before the launch of Merck Foundation programs in 2012, many countries—including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh—had either no or very few specialists in critical fields such as Oncology, Fertility and Reproductive Care, Diabetology, Respiratory Medicine, and Intensive Care. I am proud to share that many of our alumni have become, or are on their way to becoming, the first specialists in their respective countries. We are building a lasting legacy in Africa.”
Merck Foundation works closely with African First Ladies and local partners such as Ministries of Health, Education, Information and Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media, and Art to build healthcare capacity and address health, social, and economic challenges in developing countries and underserved communities.
Dr. Kelej added, “This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ aligns perfectly with our initiatives to educate young minds on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diabetes and hypertension awareness. Together with the First Ladies of Africa, we have launched two storybooks on these health topics and adapted them into engaging and inspiring animated films.”
As part of its ongoing efforts, Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for its 2025 Scholarships for young doctors, focusing on female doctors. The scholarships include one-year diplomas and two-year master’s degree programs across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. These programs offer both on-site fellowships and clinical training, as well as online diploma programs.
Applications are invited through the Offices of the Foundation’s Ambassadors—the First Ladies of Africa—and Ministries of Health in each country.
In addition, Merck Foundation has launched awards for the best media, film, fashion designs, and songs promoting healthy lifestyles, to encourage local artists and young talents to raise awareness within their communities.
Dr. Kelej reiterated, “Training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is key to ensuring equitable and quality healthcare across Africa.”
To Apply for In campus Scholarships:
Fertility: https://apo-opa.co/4jqI2TP
Oncology: https://apo-opa.co/4jqI2TP
Capacity Advancement: https://apo-opa.co/4jqI2TP
Diabetes : https://apo-opa.co/4jqI2TP
To Apply for Online Scholarships, visit: https://apo-opa.co/3EFA4XV
The selection for each scholarship will be based on request by First Lady Office, Ministry of Health and / or Medical Society with the aim to fill the gaps of public healthcare system in each country.
The selection will be based on eligibility criteria fulfillment of each training Institute and Foundation, scholarship availability, and fund availability.
