Merck Foundation, First Lady Partner to Boost Healthcare and Women’s Empowerment in Maldives

The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to building healthcare capacity and tackling critical social issues in the Maldives, following a high-level meeting with Her Excellency Mrs Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of the Republic of Maldives.

The discussions, held at the Official Residence of the President, were led by Prof Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation. During the meeting, Mrs Sajidha Mohamed was officially appointed as Ambassador of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother initiative.

Senator Dr Kelej expressed her honour in appointing the First Lady, noting the Foundation’s shared goals of enhancing healthcare through scholarships for local doctors and addressing social challenges such as breaking infertility stigma, ending gender-based violence, empowering women, and raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension.

The First Lady welcomed the partnership, highlighting that scholarships in fertility and embryology training have already been offered to Maldivian doctors. She confirmed plans to expand training to other critical specialities, further reinforcing the nation’s healthcare capacity.

Prof Dr Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasised that the Foundation has, to date, awarded over 2,270 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries across 44 underserved medical fields, with the aim of transforming patient care in developing regions.

During their visit, Merck Foundation leaders also met with Hon Mr Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Health, to discuss scaling up scholarship programmes in alignment with national healthcare priorities.

The Foundation will soon host a Health Media Training workshop for Maldivian journalists, in partnership with the First Lady, to stress the media’s role in influencing societal attitudes, driving cultural change, and giving voice to marginalised communities. The event will feature prominent medical and media experts.

Additionally, Merck Foundation and the First Lady have launched eight national awards to encourage Maldivian media professionals, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, and students to promote awareness of infertility stigma, women’s empowerment, and the prevention of diabetes and hypertension.

Award Categories and Deadlines:

• Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025 – For journalists and media students addressing infertility stigma and women’s empowerment. Deadline: 30 September 2025.
• Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025 – For fashion students and designers creating awareness-raising designs on infertility stigma and women’s empowerment. Deadline: 30 September 2025.
• Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025 – For filmmakers and film students producing impactful dramas, documentaries, or docudramas on infertility stigma and women’s empowerment. Deadline: 30 September 2025.
• Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025 – For singers and musicians producing songs tackling infertility stigma and women’s empowerment. Deadline: 30 September 2025.
• Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025 – For journalists producing work to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness on prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension. Deadline: 30 October 2025.
• Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025 – For designers creating health awareness-themed fashion. Deadline: 30 October 2025.
• Merck Foundation Film Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025 – For filmmakers producing impactful work on healthy lifestyles and prevention of diabetes and hypertension. Deadline: 30 October 2025.
• Merck Foundation Song Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025 – For musicians creating songs on healthy lifestyles and prevention of diabetes and hypertension. Deadline: 30 October 2025.

Entries should be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com. Further details are available on the Foundation’s website: www.Merck-Foundation.com.