Banjul: Merck Foundation's 7th Edition of the First Ladies Initiative Summit recently took place, featuring a pivotal meeting between Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, and The Gambia's First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, alongside 13 other First Ladies from Africa and Asia. The summit aimed to discuss strategies for reshaping patient care in The Gambia.
According to African Press Organization, the summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej. The event celebrated the ongoing partnership between Merck Foundation and The Gambia since 2017, emphasizing significant achievements such as the provision of 87 scholarships to local Gambian doctors across various critical specialties. These specialties include Fertility and Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Care, among others, marking a transformative impact on the healthcare landscape in The Gambia.
H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow expressed her excitement about being part of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit, acknowledging the platform's success in fostering discussions on improving future healthcare strategies for Africa and Asia. The summit also included a committee meeting where First Ladies shared impact reports of Merck Foundation programs in their countries and discussed future strategies.
The Merck Foundation, in collaboration with The Gambia First Lady, has provided scholarships in specialty fields such as Oncology, Fertility, and Reproductive Care to enhance healthcare capacity locally. Dr. Kelej reaffirmed Merck Foundation's commitment to building healthcare capacity, having provided 2,280 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in underserved medical fields since 2012.
In addition, Merck Foundation has launched initiatives in collaboration with The Gambia's First Lady, such as online health media training and children's storybooks addressing social and health issues. These initiatives aim to break infertility stigma, promote girl education, and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension. The summit was streamed live on Merck Foundation's social media channels, allowing a broader audience to engage with the discussions and initiatives.
The Merck Foundation continues to make strides in transforming patient care across Africa and Asia, supporting healthcare advancements and addressing social issues through strategic partnerships and initiatives.