Dubai: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany, inaugurated the 7th Edition of its First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event was held over two days, on June 19th and 20th, 2025, and was graced 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 MFFLI. Fourteen First Ladies from Africa and Asia participated as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, the summit served as a platform for exchanging valuable experiences and engaging in discussions on the impact of Merck Foundation programs. These initiatives are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness on critical social and health issues. Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the importance of the initiative, welcoming the First Ladies who are also ambassadors of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
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 across Africa, Asia, and beyond. He acknowledged the support and collaboration of Merck Foundation’s ambassadors and partners in realizing the organization’s vision for global health.
The First Ladies of 14 nations, including Angola, Cabo Verde, and the Central African Republic, participated as Keynote Speakers. During the summit, Dr. Rasha Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has provided over 2,500 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in underserved specialties, significantly impacting healthcare in many regions.
The summit also coincided with the observance of World Infertility Awareness Month, with the “More Than a Mother” campaign aiming to empower infertile and childless women. Dr. Kelej revealed that out of the 2,500 scholarships, over 700 were dedicated to training in fertility and women’s health-related fields.
The event marked two significant milestones: the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years since its development programs began in 2012. The summit featured a plenary session with high-level discussions by the First Ladies and a ministerial panel including African ministers and global healthcare experts.
Day two of the summit focused on medical sessions covering oncology and fertility topics and a community awareness session titled “Merck Foundation Health Media Training.” This session aimed to highlight the media’s role in influencing cultural change related to social and health issues.
The hybrid-format conference allowed over 6,000 participants from more than 70 countries to engage in discussions on health and social challenges. The summit was streamed live across Merck Foundation’s and Dr. Rasha Kelej’s social media platforms, reaching a broader audience.
Merck Foundation’s initiatives also include training over 3,700 media personnel from more than 35 countries and launching eight annual awards for media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs. Additional efforts include producing songs and children’s storybooks to raise awareness on health and social issues.
The Merck Foundation continues to expand its impact through various channels, contributing significantly to healthcare and social issues in Africa and underserved communities worldwide.