Dubai: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit on June 19th and 20th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event was spearheaded 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 the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative. The summit featured First Ladies from 14 African and Asian nations as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her honor in welcoming the First Ladies who also serve as Ambassadors of the "More Than a Mother" campaign. The summit provided a platform for sharing experiences and discussing the impact of programs aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of critical health and social issues.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp emphasized the organization'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 of Ambassadors and partners in working towards a vision of a healthy and happy global community.
The summit highlighted the participation of First Ladies from Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. These First Ladies, as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation's More Than a Mother initiative, played significant roles in the discussions.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej noted the provision of over 2,500 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical specialties through Merck Foundation's initiatives. The summit also marked World Infertility Awareness Month, with a focus on empowering infertile and childless women through education and mindset change, alongside the ongoing provision of scholarships in various medical fields to improve access to fertility care.
The summit celebrated the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of its development programs. It included a high-level panel discussion featuring African and Asian First Ladies and a ministerial panel with African Ministers and healthcare experts. The conference, conducted in a hybrid format, enabled over 6,000 participants from more than 70 countries to engage in discussions on health and social challenges.
The event also featured three key sessions on its second day, covering oncology, fertility topics, and a community awareness session on the role of media in cultural change. The summit was live-streamed on social media platforms to ensure broader participation and engagement.
The extensive participation in the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative reflects the commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and advocating for social change in Africa and beyond. The event showcased Merck Foundation's ongoing efforts in transforming patient care and empowering communities through education and awareness.
