The Merck Foundation hosted the 12th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary conference, convening African First Ladies, ministers, and health leaders to strengthen healthcare systems and tackle urgent social challenges across the continent.
The conference was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, alongside Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother.”
Among the distinguished Guests of Honour and keynote speakers was H.E. Madam Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of Senegal, joined by the First Ladies of Burundi, Central African Republic, Liberia, Nigeria, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
During the conference, Dr. Kelej highlighted the Foundation’s expanding partnership with Senegal. She noted that 29 scholarships have been awarded to Senegalese doctors in critical specialties such as oncology, diabetes, fertility and embryology, with plans to further scale up the programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen local capacity so patients can access specialized care within their own country.
Madam Marie Khone Faye reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with the Foundation. She emphasized the impact of the “Educating Linda” programme, which provides annual scholarships to 40 high-performing but underprivileged schoolgirls in Senegal.
In addition, she underscored the importance of the 29 medical scholarships supporting national healthcare transformation, particularly in oncology, reproductive health, and diabetes management.
Of the 29 scholarships awarded in Senegal, eight focus on oncology to enhance access to quality cancer care. Eleven support hands-on training and postgraduate degrees in fertility, embryology, and sexual and reproductive health,strengthening women’s healthcare services nationwide.
Ten scholarships are dedicated to advanced diabetes training, equipping physicians not only to treat patients effectively but also to lead prevention and awareness efforts within communities.
The first day of the conference featured plenary sessions with keynote addresses from African First Ladies, alongside a ministerial panel discussing the Merck Foundation African Research Summit (MARS).
The summit strategy aims to build scientific research capacity and empower women and youth in STEM fields across Africa. On the second day, the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) committee convened, where First Ladies presented country impact reports and discussed future strategies with the Foundation’s leadership.
Beyond medical training, the Foundation continues to drive community awareness programmes in partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Senegal. Recent initiatives include an Online Health Media Training programme to equip journalists to advocate for girl education, end gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, and promote awareness of diabetes and hypertension.
Looking ahead, the Foundation announced its 2026 call for applications for eight annual awards targeting media professionals, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, students and emerging talents. In collaboration with the First Lady of Senegal, it is also launching children’s storybooks,including “More Than a Mother,” “Educating Linda,” “Jackline’s Rescue,” “Not Who You Are,” “Ride into the Future,” “Sugar Free Jude,” “Mark’s Pressure,” and “Ray of Hope.” These publications tackle infertility stigma, girls’ education, GBV prevention, and awareness of diabetes and hypertension. Thousands of French-language copies will be distributed to schoolchildren across Senegal.
Since 2012, Merck Foundation has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 underserved medical specialties. In addition, it has trained over 3,700 media representatives from more than 35 countries, launched eight annual awards, produced nearly 30 awareness songs, published nine children’s storybooks in four languages, and developed six animated awareness films in five languages.
Through its Pan-African TV programme “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” annual scholarships for over 1,040 underprivileged African schoolgirls, and a social media community exceeding 8.5 million followers, the Foundation continues to advance healthcare capacity and foster social change across Africa and beyond.
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