Dubai: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The summit, 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. The event featured 14 First Ladies from African and Asian countries as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the importance of the summit as a platform for exchanging experiences and engaging in discussions on transforming patient care and raising awareness of critical social and health issues. The First Ladies, who are also Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign, played a significant role in the summit.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized Merck Foundation's commitment to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality healthcare solutions. He expressed gratitude to the Ambassadors and partners for their support in working towards a vision of a healthier world.
The participating First Ladies included representatives from Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. These leaders contributed to discussions and shared insights on healthcare initiatives and social challenges in their countries.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has provided over 2,500 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries, with a focus on underserved specialties. She highlighted the foundation's efforts in empowering women and improving access to fertility care and women's health through various training programs.
The summit also marked the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of its development programs. It featured high-level panel discussions with First Ladies and healthcare experts, as well as sessions on Oncology, Fertility, and community awareness.
The event was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing over 6,000 participants from more than 70 countries to engage safely and effectively. The summit was streamed live on Merck Foundation's social media platforms, reaching a wide audience.
Merck Foundation's initiatives include training media professionals, launching awards, producing songs and storybooks, and running the Pan African TV program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation." These efforts aim to address social and health issues and empower communities across Africa and beyond.