The summit brought together First Ladies from Africa and Asia to highlight impactful partnerships and share strategies to strengthen national health systems through specialised training, medical scholarships, and community-based advocacy.
The high-level summit, organised by the Merck Foundation the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany serves as a collaborative platform for First Ladies and strategic partners to assess the progress of healthcare programs, exchange ideas, and chart new pathways for advancing healthcare capacity, women’s empowerment, and education across underserved regions in Africa and Asia.
In her keynote address, First Lady Fatoumata Bah Barrow proudly announced that The Gambia will host the 11th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa-Asia Luminary in October 2025, a landmark event that further cements the country’s commitment to health equity and social development.
Highlighting her consistent efforts to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for women and children, the First Lady praised the Merck Foundation for aligning with her vision and supporting The Gambia since 2017.
“Together with Merck Foundation, we have trained numerous Gambian doctors and healthcare professionals in critical specialties such as oncology, fertility, neonatal care, infectious diseases, respiratory care, and reproductive health,” she stated.
These efforts have played a transformative role in strengthening The Gambia’s public health system and ensuring that even remote communities receive quality care.
She further emphasised her advocacy work in eliminating child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence (GBV), and infertility stigma. Through creative campaigns such as animated videos and educational books distributed across 1,000 schools, the initiative aims to build awareness and foster a compassionate, informed generation.
In line with the “Educating Linda” initiative, the First Lady shared that 40 underprivileged but high-performing school children in The Gambia have received educational support, showcasing her continued efforts in uplifting vulnerable youth through education.
During the summit, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, emphasised the Foundation’s broader vision: “Our mission is to build healthcare capacity, empower women, and support girls’ education. This summit is not just an event but a powerful symbol of what we can achieve when we unite for a shared purpose.”
He revealed that Africa bears 24% of the global disease burden but has only 2.91 healthcare workers per 1,000 people, highlighting the urgent need for investment in medical training. “Through our scholarship program, we are enabling thousands of doctors to become the first specialists in their countries, transforming the patient care landscape continent-wide,” he noted.
Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, elaborated on the organisation’s reach, noting that over 2,270 scholarships have been awarded across 52 countries, covering 44 critical and underserved specialties. These include oncology, sexual and reproductive health, internal medicine, critical care, trauma, dermatology, psychiatry, and more. She stressed that the Foundation selects healthcare professionals from all regions of participating countries not just capitals ensuring equitable healthcare delivery nationwide.
The summit also celebrated the 8th anniversary of Merck Foundation and the 13th anniversary of its development programs, which have transformed healthcare access for millions, especially in the most vulnerable communities.
Founded in 2017, Merck Foundation continues to leverage science, technology, and education to address healthcare gaps, build scientific research capacity, and empower youth especially girls in STEM and education, with a special emphasis on gender equality.
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