Merck Foundation, Zimbabwe Mark Seven-Year Partnership
Merck Foundation and the Office of the First Lady of Zimbabwe have celebrated seven years of partnership marked by major investments in healthcare capacity-building, women’s empowerment and support for girls’ education. The milestone was highlighted during the 2025 Merck Foundation Zimbabwe Alumni Summit and Awards Ceremony held in Harare.
The event was chaired by the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, together with Merck Foundation Chairman, Prof. Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and the organisation’s CEO, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej (Ret.).
Speaking during the summit, Dr Kelej commended the First Lady for her leadership as Ambassador of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, which aims to break infertility stigma, empower women, and promote social change. She said the seven-year partnership had significantly strengthened Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
Dr Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has provided 166 scholarships for Zimbabwean doctors in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, including oncology, cardiology, diabetes, fertility, psychiatry, critical care, paediatrics and neurology. She described the achievement as “a revolution in patient care across Zimbabwe” and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to building long-term medical capacity.
Prof. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasised Merck Foundation’s global mission to improve health outcomes by investing in medical training across Africa, Asia and other developing regions.
In her remarks, First Lady Dr Mnangagwa praised the partnership, noting that the scholarships had rapidly increased the number of specialised doctors in key fields needed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health sector.
She also highlighted ongoing support for the Educating Linda Programme, under which 40 high-performing, underprivileged girls receive annual scholarships until graduation. She described the initiative as “history in the making” for girls’ education in the country.
During the ceremony, 13 Zimbabwean journalists and creatives were honoured with Merck Foundation Awards for their work in promoting awareness on issues such as infertility stigma, gender-based violence, child marriage, women’s empowerment, and health education. The Foundation has so far recognised more than 60 Zimbabwean winners since 2017.
The summit also featured testimonies from beneficiaries of the Educating Linda Programme and showcased children’s storybooks produced in partnership with the First Lady, addressing themes including girl education, healthy lifestyles, stigma reduction and child protection.
Merck Foundation has so far awarded more than 2,400 medical scholarships across 52 countries, reinforcing its role as a major contributor to healthcare development on the African continent.
The Foundation also announced the opening of submissions for its 2026 Media, Film, Fashion and Song Awards, encouraging journalists, creatives, and young talents from across Africa to apply. Entries are to be submitted via submit@merck-foundation.com before the respective deadlines.
