GITEGA, Burundi,
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marked the 12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in Banjul, The Gambia, reaffirming its partnership with African First Ladies to build healthcare capacity and support girl education.
The conference was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia and Merck Foundation Ambassador More Than a Mother, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of More Than a Mother. H.E. Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi and Merck Foundation Ambassador, joined as Guest of Honor alongside First Ladies from Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé & Príncipe and Senegal.
During the Luminary, Dr. Rasha Kelej met with the Burundi First Lady to review progress and expand joint initiatives. Since their partnership began in 2020, Merck Foundation has provided 55 scholarships to Burundian doctors in critical specialties including diabetes, oncology, fertility, reproductive health and cardiovascular medicine—contributing to the country’s first public IVF center and first diabetes center.
“We will continue to advance healthcare capacity in Burundi by enrolling more local doctors in underserved specialties,” said Dr. Rasha Kelej.
H.E. Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye highlighted the impact of the partnership, including support for girl education through annual scholarships for 40 high-performing but underprivileged girls, under the Educating Linda program.
Beyond healthcare training, Merck Foundation and the First Lady of Burundi have collaborated on media training, awareness campaigns, children’s storybooks addressing social and health issues, and initiatives to break infertility stigma and empower women and girls.
Globally, Merck Foundation has provided 2,500+ scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 underserved specialties, alongside wide-reaching media, education and awareness programs across Africa and Asia.
For more information, visit www.Merck-Foundation.com.
By James Kisoo
