#National News

Merck Foundation, First Lady to transform patient care, empower infertile women

Mar 31, 2023, 11:36 AM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay-Bah

Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and The Gambia First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow not only met during the 9th edition of Merck Foundation Africa-Asia Luminary 2022 to approve their future strategy and announce their impact report but also called for action to build healthcare capacity and empower women and girls in The Gambia.

Merck Foundation is transforming the patient care landscape and making history together with The Gambia First Lady and other partners in Africa, Asia and beyond.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman for both the Executive Board of E. Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.

H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of The Gambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” emphasized that their partnership journey is growing from strength to strength as they have achieved many important and significant milestones since 2017 when they launched the programs in The Gambia.

“Together we have been able to provide 34 medical scholarships to our young doctors. We consider it to be a very high number for our country and will contribute significantly to The Gambia's health security and its economic and social development," she said.

She added: "together we are also working on various initiatives to raise awareness about critical social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, ending child marriage and FGM, and diabetes & hypertension awareness.”

Merck Foundation in partnership with The Gambia First Lady has also initiated their program “Educating Linda”, to support the education of 20 underprivileged but brilliant schoolgirls by providing scholarships till they graduate.

Moreover, 3000 sets of essential school items were provided to Gambian school-going girls.