The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany, held its 13th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 via a virtual conference on June 18 and 19 where the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian nations discussed the impact of their relationship to advance health systems, girls' education and key social issues.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary opened the conference. The event was attended by the First Ladies of Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe as Guests of Honor and keynote speakers.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, at the opening session of the conference, said the event enabled them to review the efforts of Merck Foundation in Africa and Asia. She said the foundation, along with the first ladies who serve as ambassadors of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign, goes on to talk about health and social issues such as the stigma of infertility, girls' education, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence, women's empowerment, and awareness of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Key Highlights:
- Merck Foundation convened the 13th Africa Asia Luminary 2026 with 12 First Ladies
- Awarded 2,600+ medical scholarships across 52 countries
- Showcased initiatives in healthcare, girls' education, and women's empowerment
The foundation's healthcare initiatives are highlighted by the fact that Dr. Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has awarded over 2,600 scholarships to healthcare professionals in 52 countries for 44 underserved medical specialties. Of these, more than 800 scholarships have been given to the study of fertility, embryology, reproductive and sexual health, which is in line with World Infertility Awareness Month.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp commended the continued partnership with the First Ladies, noting they have contributed immensely to the reach and impact of Merck Foundation's programs. He said their accomplishments depend on the success of long-term collaborations for enhanced healthcare access and social upliftment.
At the conference, the First Ladies of the respective countries presented their respective successes in the implementation of Merck Foundation programs. Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, the First Lady of Angola, mentioned the launching of the 'Educating Linda' program to promote girls' education by providing school supplies, sanitary products and scholarships.
The foundation has given 58 scholarships to healthcare services providers in critical care specialties in the medical field, while delivering psychometric and diagnostic assessment equipment to assist children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Botswana's First Lady Kaone Boko said.
Cabo Verde First Lady Dr. Debora Katisa Carvalho spoke about 'Educating Linda and Lindo', the annual scholarship program to the deserving boys and girls and the donating of sanitary pads to enable girls to stay in school.
In the meantime, Central African Republic First Lady Brigitte Touadéra spoke about the role of the 'Empowering Berna' program which works with women who are infertile to help them through entrepreneurship training and small business development. The 'Educating Linda' program is currently awarding scholarships to 40 underprivileged school girls in the country every year, she added.
Through the partnership, Gabon has been able to provide 16 scholarships for healthcare workers in underserved specialties and has been supporting 40 high-performing schoolgirls every year through the ‘Educating Linda’ initiative, said Gabon's First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema.
The annual Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary is still continuing to foster collaboration and exchange of best practices between governments, healthcare leaders, and development partners in the joint efforts to expand healthcare capacity, empower women, and educate the people of Africa and Asia.
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