Banjul: Merck Foundation, in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia, recently held the 12th Edition of the “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary” conference. This event was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. The First Ladies of Burundi, Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal participated as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
According to African Press Organization, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her honor in co-chairing the conference with Mrs. Bah-Barrow. She highlighted their collaborative efforts in addressing infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and enhancing healthcare and media capacity. To date, Merck Foundation has provided 94 scholarships for local healthcare providers in The Gambia, marking significant progress in healthcare training.
First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow emphasized the achievements since the partnership began in 2017, noting the transformation of public healthcare in The Gambia through the provision of 94 scholarships for doctors. She also mentioned the Educating Linda program, which supports the education of 40 underprivileged schoolgirls until graduation.
The conference’s first day featured a plenary session with keynote speeches from African First Ladies and a ministerial panel discussion focusing on scientific research capacity and empowering women in STEM. The second day included the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative committee meeting, where impact reports and future strategies were discussed.
The Gambia has received 94 scholarships, including 29 in oncology for cancer care, 26 in fertility and embryology, 10 in diabetes care, and 29 in various specialized fields. Dr. Kelej mentioned that Merck Foundation has provided over 2400 scholarships across 52 countries in critical medical specialties.
Merck Foundation also conducted online health media training sessions in collaboration with the First Lady’s office and announced awards in media, music, fashion, film, and other fields. Additionally, the foundation launched children’s storybooks addressing social and health issues.
The event was streamed live on Merck Foundation’s social media platforms, highlighting the foundation’s ongoing efforts to transform patient care and address social issues through various initiatives.