Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025: Transforming Healthcare in Liberia and Beyond
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recently hosted the 12th edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia. The event was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, The First Lady of Gambia, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother.”
The conference welcomed H.E. Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of Liberia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, along with the First Ladies of Burundi, Central African Republic, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal. This gathering highlights the growing business of social impact and healthcare diplomacy across the continent.
First Lady of Liberia Highlights Merck Foundation Achievements
H.E. Mrs. Boakai stated:
“Being the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother is an honor. We have provided 52 scholarships for local doctors and healthcare providers in critical specialties. OurEducating Linda programsupports 40 high-performing girls annually. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for Liberia.”
Dr. Rasha Kelej added that these scholarships helped Liberia produce its first specialists in Fertility and Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Care, Oncology, Diabetes, Acute Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dermatology. Even the current Liberia Minister of Health is a Merck Foundation alumnus, reflecting the success of these programs.
Day 1: Keynote Speeches and Ministerial Panel
The first day featured a Plenary Session with keynote addresses from African First Ladies. A high-level ministerial panel focused on strategies to enhance healthcare services and empower women and youth through digital health and education.
Watch the First Lady of Liberia’s speech here and the MFFLI committee meeting video here.
Day 2: MFFLI Committee Meeting and Scholarship Programs
During the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) meeting, African First Ladies shared the impact of programs in their countries and discussed future strategies, including the use of AI in tracking patient outcomes.
Scholarships in Liberia
Currently, 52 scholarships have been granted for doctors in underserved specialties:
- 9 scholarships: Acute Medicine, Dermatology, Infectious Disease, Pediatrics, Child Health, and Nursing.
- 5 scholarships: Oncology.
- 10 scholarships: Diabetes and Endocrinology.
These programs enable doctors to establish specialized clinics and enhance access to quality healthcare across Liberia.
Educating Linda Program & Community Support
- Annual scholarships for 40 underprivileged girls.
- Distribution of 3,000 essential school items to children.
- Launch of 9 children’s storybooks to raise awareness on social issues like infertility, girl education, child marriage, GBV, and hypertension.
Pan-African and Global Impact
Merck Foundation continues to transform healthcare and education through massive outreach:
- 2,500+ scholarships in 44 critical specialties across 52 countries.
- 3,700+ media professionals trained to raise awareness about social and health issues.
- 30 advocacy songs and 6 animated films produced in multiple languages.
- 1,200+ scholarships annually for high-performing African schoolgirls from 18 countries.
- Pan-African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing health through fashion and art.
Learn more about Merck Foundation programs here. The foundation leverages partnerships with First Ladies to break social stigmas and improve healthcare outcomes. Join the conversation on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. For more continental developments, visit our travel and news portal.
