By James Kisoo,
HARARE, Zimbabwe, Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 on 19th and 20th June. The summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
- H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe
- H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
- H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
- H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
- H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
- H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
- H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
- H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
- H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
- H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
- H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
- H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
- H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola
Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “I am very proud to conduct Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiatives –MFFLI, together with our Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of 14 African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. I extend a special welcome to the new members joining our platform. Together we reflected on the impact of our programs and discussed our strategy to continue and explant our efforts to build healthcare capacity and raise awareness on a wide range of sensitive and critical social issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Stopping GBV, Women Empowerment, and important health issues like Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees emphasized “I was pleased to hear from the First Ladies of Africa and Asia about the remarkable progress they have achieved in their countries through Merck Foundation programs. Their achievements play a vital role in our journey of success.”
Merck Foundation has provided till today, more than 2400 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.
During the Inauguration Session of the Luminary, the First Ladies delivered their keynote speeches to share the impact of their partnership journey with Merck Foundation.
H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother expressed, “Since our partnership began in 2019, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones. Over 130 scholarships have been provided for our young Zimbabwean doctors in critical and underserved specialties such as Fertility, Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiology, Neonatal Care, Psychiatry, and more. Moreover, through the ‘Educating Linda’ program, we’ve also supported 40 girls by covering their tuition fees to help them complete their education. We have never before witnessed a program of such transformative impact in Zimbabwe, we are making history.”
H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “It is an honor to join the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit. As a first-time participant, I’m happy to be among my dear sisters—First Ladies of Africa and Asia—and truly inspired by their achievements through Merck Foundation. I’m proud to share that Senegal has received 25 scholarships for young doctors in Oncology, Diabetes, Fertility, and Embryology. We look forward to strengthening this partnership, and eager to scale up further for the benefit of our people.”
H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “As the Ambassador of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign, I’m truly grateful for the impactful programs of Merck Foundation. For the first time, we are implementing such transformative initiatives in our country, and their positive impact is already visible. Under the Educating Linda program, we’ve supported the education of 40 high performing but underprivileged girls by covering their tuition fees, giving them the opportunity to complete their education and pursue their dreams.”
H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “As a first-time participant in this remarkable platform, I’m honored to join such a distinguished group of leaders and proud to serve as the Ambassador of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign. Merck Foundation has significantly improved patient care in Nigeria by providing 64 scholarships for our young Nigerian doctors in critical specialties like Fertility, Oncology, and Diabetes. We are also supporting the education of 20 high-performing but underprivileged girls through the Educating Linda program. I look forward to strengthening our long-term partnership to build healthcare and media capacity, break infertility stigma, and support girl education in Nigeria.”
H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said, “It was an enriching experience, learning from my dear sisters as they shared success stories and impactful programs in their countries. To date, 51 scholarships have been provided for our doctors in Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, and Diabetes. I’m especially proud that our current Minister of Health is a Merck Foundation alumnus—a powerful example of the program’s lasting impact. It equips doctors with vital skills and empowers them to become healthcare leaders. Additionally, we are providing scholarship to support the education of 20 deserving girls through the Educating Linda program. We are proud to keep making history in our country.”
H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “I am proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation, through which we have provided 244 scholarships for our Kenyan doctors—half of them awarded to women, marking a strong step toward healthcare equity and women empowerment.
I also value the ‘Educating Linda’ program, through which 47 underprivileged but high-performing Kenyan girls are receiving full support to complete their education. Together, we are shaping a healthier and more equitable future for Kenya.”
H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “This is my first time attending this conference, and I am thrilled to hear the inspiring stories and achievements of my dear sisters. Dr. Rasha Kelej shared with me in detail about their very impressive programs. I am happy to learn that 210 scholarships have been provided for our young Ghanaian doctors in critical specialties. I am also proud to know that education of 20 of our deserving but underprivileged schoolgirls is being supported through the Educating Linda program. I am committed to supporting more talented girls and look forward to working closely with Merck Foundation to drive lasting change across our continent.”
H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Republic of The Gambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “I am very proud of our partnership that began in 2017, we have achieved significant milestones together since then. We have provided 88 scholarships for young Gambian doctors in many critical specialties. This is a very high number for our country and has significantly contributed to transform our patientcare landscape. Together, we have also supported the education of 40 schoolgirls as a part of Educating Linda program, giving them an opportunity to shape a brighter and more secure future for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:
- 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:
- 3700+ Media Representatives from more than 35 countries trained by Merck Foundation to raise awareness about different social and health issues
- 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, film, song and fashion
- Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
- 9 Children’s Storybooks in four languages – English, French, Portuguese and Swahili
- 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension & Cancer
- Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
- 1040+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to empower them to reach their full potential
- 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
SOURCE:Merck Foundation
