By Ojoma Akor
Merck Foundation and African first ladies have announced their unified commitment to strengthening healthcare capacity, breaking the stigma around infertility, and supporting the education of girls in Africa.
These pledges were made during the 12th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, held virtually and in Banjul, The Gambia.
The conference was held in partnership with the Government of The Gambia and co-chaired by the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Madame Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow.
More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers, academia, researchers, and media representatives participated physically and online. They came from over 70 countries across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
The First Ladies of African Countries, also Ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,” said Merck Foundation programs have made huge impacts on patient care and awareness on critical social and health issues.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Co-Chairperson of the event, said that the foundation has worked with many first ladies over the years, adding that the foundation has provided over 2,400 scholarships for young doctors and healthcare providers from 52 countries, focusing on 44 critical and underserved specialties.
She added, “Together with our Ambassadors and partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond. Many of these healthcare professionals are becoming the first specialists in their countries.”
She highlighted that before their intervention, some countries like Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia had no specialists in fields such as oncology, fertility, or ICU care. As a result, patients had to travel abroad or had no access to treatment.
“It’s really an amazing programme, and these scholarships have actually transformed the patient care landscape in the public sectors in all these countries. Today, we are changing that story.”
Discussing the partnership’s impact in The Gambia, she stated that 94 healthcare professionals in the country have benefitted from Merck Foundation scholarships, which has strengthened local capacity in areas like oncology, respiratory care, pediatrics, and reproductive medicine.
She continued, “It was an honour to meet our Esteemed First Ladies and Ambassadors of the ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign. We exchanged insights and experiences on impactful development programs across their countries and discussed the remarkable progress and outcomes of our joint initiatives.”
She also highlighted the interaction with the Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noting their long-term partnership to transform patient care by building healthcare and media capacity, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girl education in Nigeria. She expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration and shared vision in the country.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, said Africa carries 24 percent of the world’s disease burden but that it however has only 2.9 healthcare workers per 1,000 people.
He said the foundation’s scholarships aim to bridge this gap.
He said, “Many of our alumni are now the first specialists in their countries — we are literally making history together. For the past 13 years, Merck Foundation’s programs have focused on advancing healthcare capacity, transforming patient care, breaking the stigma of infertility, empowering women, and supporting girl child education across the continent and beyond, reflecting their core mission.
“Working closely with First Ladies, and other partners including ministries of health, education, and gender affairs, medical societies, media, and art; respecting their sovereignty, providing sustainable solutions, and genuinely investing in people and their social and health development has made Merck Foundation one of the most trusted and respected Foundations in Africa. And we are truly proud of this.”
Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia Muhammad B. S. Jallow, said , “It is a great honor to inaugurate the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, being hosted here in The Gambia. I would also like to commend the close partnership between The First Lady of Gambia and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, since 2017, that continues to promote health, education, and empowerment across our nation and inspire hope for a better future”.
He commended the first ladies for the ongoing partnership with the Merck Foundation, adding, “Together, you are working to strengthen healthcare systems and expand access to essential services. ”
The Gambian vice-president also applauded all health professionals across The Gambia and Africa at large, noting that through their collaboration with Merck, they have advanced important causes from raising awareness about infertility and championing girls’ education, to supporting youth in areas like fashion, art, and journalism.
He said that these efforts not only restore dignity and hope, but also carry immeasurable economic and social benefits for our communities.
He added that in The Gambia, the government continues to place women’s and girls’ issues at the forefront of the national development agenda.
First Lady of The Gambia, Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Co-Chairperson of the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary ,Madame Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, said the partnership with Merck Foundation has provided 94 scholarships for Gambian doctors in more than 30 critical and underserved specialties.
She said, ” Thirty underserved specialties. Together, we are not only transforming our public healthcare landscape but also making history as many of these doctors are becoming the first specialists in their fields. I am very proud of this great achievement. Together, we are empowering professionals, uplifting women, and giving the next generation of Africans a healthier, more hopeful future.”
