(MENAFN- News.Africa-Wire) Merck Foundation (), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 12th Edition of their annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Lu”inary”, in partnership with the Government of The Gambia, on 14th and 15th October, in Banjul, The Gambia. The conference was inaugurated by Mr. MUHAMMAD B. S. JALLOW, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and co-chaired by Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of More Than a Mother. The First Ladies of Africa, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

During the inauguration of the conference, Mr. MUHAMMAD B. S. JALLOW, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia stated “It is a great honor to inaugurate the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, being hosted here in The Gambia. I would also like to commend the close partnership between The First Lady of Gambia and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, since 2017, that continue to promote health, education, and empowerment across our nation and inspire hope for a better futu”e”.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Co-Chairperson of the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary shar“d, “I am delighted to host our prestigious annual conference in The Gambia, together with my dear sister and our long-term partner, Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.

I am very happy that our conference was officially inaugurated by Mr. MUHAMMAD B. S. JALLOW, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.

Moreover, I was great welcoming our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of African Countries, also the Ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Moth”r”. Together, we shared experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness on a wide range of critical social and health issues."

Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia, Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Co-Chairperson of the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary shar“d, “It has been an honour to host the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in our country, inaugurated by H.E. The Vice President of The Gambia. It was an honor to welcome my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, Ministers, Healthcare Experts, Media Representatives, and Delegates.

I am proud of my partnership with Merck Foundation. They have provided 94 scholarships for our local Gambian doctors in more than 30 critical and undeserved specialties. 30 underserved specialties. Together we are not only transforming our public healthcare landscape but also making history as many of these doctors are becoming first specialists in their fields. I am very proud of this great achiev”ment.”

Watch the Merck Foundation Partnership Journey with The First Lady of The Gambia since 2017, here:

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees“added, “I would like to thank H.E. Mr. MUHAMMAD B. S. JALLOW, Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia, and our long-term partner H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia for hosting our annual conference in the beautiful country of The Gambia. I would also like to thank the First Ladies of Africa, who joined as Guests of Honor, along with African Ministers, Health Experts, Policy Makers, Government Officials, Academia and Media for joining hands with us to realize the Merck Foundation’s vision that
The First Ladies of African Countries, who joined the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary are:

• H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi
• H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic
• H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
• H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Repubãic oféSão Toíé and Príncipe
• H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated“ “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2400 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties. Many of our Merck Foundation Alumni are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and Partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries.”

The conference was held in a hybrid format, featuring both physical and online participation of more than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers, academia, researchers, and media representatives from over 70 countries across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Of these, over 300 participants attended in person.

During the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, an important occasion was marked; 13 years of Merck Foundati’n’s development programs that started in 2012.

On the first day of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 took place, featuring keynote speeches of First Ladies of Africa.

Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was also held with African Ministers.

The Day 2 of the conference will have three key parallel scientific and community awareness sessions, covering topics such as diabetes and hypertension, medical capacity building in other specialties like respiratory care, acute care, emergency pediatric and neonatal care, and more, and Health Media Training, which will be conducted for African journalists. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.

Countries that physically participated in the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary included:

Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

Countries that participated virtually included:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea–– Bissau, Guin–a – Conakry, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

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