Dubai: Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, and First Ladies from 14 African and Asian nations have inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai. The event, held on June 19th and 20th, was led 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 MFFLI. The First Ladies served as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, the summit served as a platform for exchanging valuable experiences and fostering discussions on transforming patient care and addressing social and health issues. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the significant role of the First Ladies as Ambassadors of the More Than a Mother campaign, aimed at empowering women and enhancing healthcare access.
Prof. Dr. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized Merck Foundation’s commitment to improving healthcare in Africa, Asia, and beyond through capacity building and equitable healthcare solutions. The foundation has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries, covering 44 critical specialties.
The summit also marked the 8th anniversary of the Merck Foundation and 13 years of its developmental programs. The First Ladies from countries such as Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe emphasized their roles in furthering the foundation’s mission. Discussions included topics like infertility stigma, women’s health, and empowerment.
Day two of the conference featured sessions on oncology, fertility, and community awareness through the Merck Foundation Health Media Training. The hybrid format allowed participation from over 6,000 attendees from more than 70 countries.
The ongoing efforts of the Merck Foundation include training over 3,700 media personnel, launching annual awards for media coverage, fashion, and art, and creating children’s storybooks and animation films to address health issues. The foundation also supports girl education and has provided over 1,040 scholarships to underprivileged African schoolgirls.
The summit and its initiatives are streamed live on Merck Foundation’s social media platforms, further amplifying its reach and impact across continents.