The Merck Foundation CEO Rasha Kelej (in purple dress) with African First Ladies, and national governments representatives./PHOTO ; Courtesy
For decades, many African countries have struggled with limited access to specialized healthcare.
In several nations, patients battling cancer, diabetes, infertility, or heart disease had to travel abroad or worse, go without care altogether.
The shortage of trained specialists left health systems overstretched and communities underserved.
But today, a quiet transformation is taking root across the continent.
Through a powerful partnership between the Merck Foundation, African First Ladies, and national governments, hundreds of doctors are receiving specialized training, while more women and girls are being empowered through education and awareness programs.
This progress took center stage at the 12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025, held in partnership with the Government of Gambia.
The two-day conference brought together African First Ladies, ministers, and healthcare professionals under one goal to strengthen health systems, promote gender equality, and drive sustainable development through collaboration.
The event was inaugurated by President Adama Barrow and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees and Former Chairman of E. Merck Kg.
It was co-chaired by Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of Gambia, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Transforming a Challenge Into Opportunity
In her opening remarks, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, reflected on how the organization’s mission has evolved into a continent-wide movement for change.
“We have worked with more than 30 First Ladies across Africa, providing over 2,400 scholarships to doctors and healthcare providers from 52 countries in more than 42 underserved and critical specialties,” she said.
These programs, she noted, have transformed patient care in the public sector.
Countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gambia now boast their first oncologists, fertility specialists, and reproductive health experts, medical professionals who previously did not exist in their systems.
“Before these scholarships, patients had to travel abroad, or had no access to care at all. Today, local doctors are saving lives in their own communities,” she added.
Gambia alone has benefited from 94 scholarships, a remarkable milestone for a country of its size.
Empowering Women and Girls Through Education
Beyond healthcare, Merck Foundation’s work extends to empowering women and girls through education.
Through the Educating Linda Program, the Foundation supports high-performing but underprivileged girls with scholarships to help them complete their education.
“Educated girls become empowered women who can transform societies,” said Dr. Kelej. “Every girl we educate is a seed of hope for Africa’s future.”
This initiative complements the More Than a Mother campaign, which continues to break the stigma surrounding infertility while advocating for gender equality, access to reproductive health services, and women’s empowerment.
First Ladies as Champions of Change
Welcoming delegates to the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow commended the Foundation’s efforts to build stronger health systems and invest in the next generation of medical professionals.
“Nearly 100 Gambian doctors have benefited from Merck Foundation scholarships in oncology, fertility care, sexual and reproductive health, and pediatrics,” she said.
“Through these efforts, we are building a stronger, more resilient medical workforce for the future.”
She also emphasized the need for continued partnerships to address challenges such as under-resourced health facilities and limited training opportunities.
“Health is the most fundamental human right, the right to life, dignity, and well-being,” she added. “It is through collaborations like this that we can uplift healthcare workers and improve outcomes across Africa.”
A Global Gathering of Minds
The hybrid-format conference featured participation from over 70 countries, including 14 that attended physically, among them Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Uganda.
Delegates from countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas joined virtually, reflecting the Foundation’s growing global footprint.
A Broader Social Mission
While the conference focused on strengthening health systems, Merck Foundation’s vision extends beyond medical training to fostering cultural change through media, art, and education.
To date, the Foundation has:
- Trained over 3,700 journalists from 35 countries.
- Launched 8 annual awards for media, music, film, and fashion that advocate for social change.
- Produced 30 songs, 8 children’s books, and 7 animated films to raise awareness about diabetes, hypertension, girls’ education, and women’s empowerment.
- Offered 950 scholarships to underprivileged schoolgirls across Africa.
“Together with our partners and Ambassadors, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone can lead a healthy and happy life,” said Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.
Collaborating for a Healthier, More Equitable Africa
In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Stangenberg-Haverkamp lauded the Foundation’s partnerships with African governments and First Ladies, describing them as “a beacon of what collaboration can achieve.”
“For the past 13 years, Merck Foundation has been committed to building healthcare capacity, transforming patient care, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girls’ education,” he said.
“Together, we are making history one doctor, one girl, one community at a time.”
As the conference concluded, one message stood out clearly: Africa’s healthcare transformation is no longer a dream; it is happening now.
Through shared vision, education, and empowerment, Merck Foundation and its partners are proving that sustainable solutions lie in unity, compassion, and long-term investment in people.
