Dubai: Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the charitable arm of Merck KGaA Germany, inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025 on June 19th and 20th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event was launched 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 the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, alongside First Ladies from 14 African and Asian nations who served as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her gratitude, stating, "It is my great honor to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and Ambassadors of our More Than a Mother campaign to the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit." She emphasized the significance of the platform for sharing experiences and fostering discussions that address social and health issues, aiming to transform patient care.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp remarked on the foundation's mission to enhance health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing equitable healthcare solutions across Africa, Asia, and beyond. He expressed appreciation for the support and collaboration of the foundation's Ambassadors and partners, which is vital for achieving their vision of global health equity.
The summit featured participation from First Ladies who are Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother initiative. These included representatives from Angola, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the foundation's impact, mentioning that it has provided over 2,500 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved specialties. The initiative has been instrumental in training specialists and improving access to fertility care and women's health, with more than 700 scholarships dedicated to training in areas like Fertility, Embryology, and Women's Health.
The summit also celebrated the 8th Anniversary of the Merck Foundation and 13 years of its development programs. The first day included a Plenary Session with a panel discussion featuring the participating First Ladies and a ministerial panel with African Ministers and global healthcare experts.
Day two of the conference was slated to feature parallel sessions covering Oncology, Fertility, and a community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training. This session aims to highlight the role of media in influencing community perspectives on social and health issues such as infertility stigma, education for girls, and gender-based violence.
The hybrid conference format enabled participation from over 6,000 attendees across more than 70 countries, facilitating the exchange of strategies and solutions for health and social challenges. The event was streamed live on Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej's social media platforms, reaching a global audience.
The foundation's initiatives have also included training over 3,700 media persons from more than 35 countries, launching annual awards for media coverage and artistic contributions, and producing songs and storybooks to address various social and health issues. Through its extensive network and initiatives, Merck Foundation continues to drive cultural change and improve healthcare access across Africa and underserved communities.