Merck Foundation CEO Meets Maldives First Lady and 13 African First Ladies to Strengthen Healthcare and Social Programs

The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, held the 7th Edition of its First Ladies Initiative Summit (MFFLI 2025), bringing together H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of the Republic of Maldives, and 13 First Ladies from African countries, alongside the Foundation’s leadership. 

The summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative.

During the summit, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to transform the patient care landscape and build healthcare capacity, particularly through scholarships for doctors. “We have already begun enrolling doctors in Fertility and Embryology training,” she said. “Our joint programmes with the First Lady of Maldives underscore our commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity in the country and beyond.”

H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed expressed pride in the partnership, noting: “We have started providing scholarships for our local doctors in critical specialties, and we plan to expand to other areas. This partnership strengthens our healthcare system and ensures specialised medical care is accessible in the Maldives.”

The summit also featured a committee meeting where African and Asian First Ladies presented impact reports from Merck Foundation programmes in their respective countries, and discussed future strategies to address health and social issues.

Since its inception, the Merck Foundation has provided 2,280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. Through community awareness programmes, the Foundation is working to break infertility stigma, address gender-based violence, promote women’s empowerment, and raise awareness on health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and healthy lifestyles.

In collaboration with the First Lady of Maldives, the Foundation will soon conduct Health Media Training for Maldivian media representatives to emphasise the role of media in advocating for these critical social and health issues.

The Foundation has also launched a call for applications for eight awards targeting media professionals, musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, students, and emerging talents, in partnership with the First Lady of Maldives. Additionally, seven children’s storybooks addressing social and health issues—including infertility stigma, girls’ education, and prevention of diabetes and hypertension—will be released in English, French, and Portuguese.

Merck Foundation’s efforts extend across Africa, Asia, and beyond through:

• 3,700+ media professionals trained across more than 35 countries
• 30 awareness songs addressing health and social issues
• Seven animated awareness films in five languages
• The Pan-African TV programme “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, highlighting social and health issues through fashion and art
• 950+ scholarships for underprivileged high-performing African schoolgirls
• 15 social media channels reaching over 8 million followers

The 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 was streamed live across the Foundation’s social media channels, showcasing its continued commitment to healthcare excellence and social impact.

For more information:

• Summit videos and speeches: Merck Foundation YouTube
• Social media: Facebook, Instagram, X