Dr. Rasha Kelej Greets Nigeria's First Lady at the 7th First Ladies Initiative Summit, Outlining Collaborative Endeavors to Enhance Healthcare, Merge Against Infertility Stigma, and Bolster Female Education
In a series of impactful initiatives, Merck Foundation continues to make strides in promoting education, healthcare, and art across Africa and beyond.
Recently, the organisation published 8 children's storybooks in English, French, and Portuguese, partnering with The First Lady of Nigeria to address various social and health issues such as breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension. These books are now available for reading on the Merck Foundation website and social media handles.
The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative-MFFLI Summit 2025 took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and Abuja, Nigeria. The summit, inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of MFFLI, saw the attendance of H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign.
As part of its commitment to empowering underprivileged individuals, Merck Foundation has provided 950+ scholarships to high performing African schoolgirls, enabling them to complete their studies. Additionally, the organisation has offered 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.
In a significant development, Merck Foundation announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Nigeria for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. These awards, launched annually, aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in addressing health and social issues.
Merck Foundation's efforts extend beyond education and healthcare. The organisation has collaborated with various partners, including governments, to achieve its humanitarian goals. In this regard, it has produced 7 awareness animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili - to reach a wider audience. Moreover, around 30 songs have been created to address health and social issues by local singers across Africa.
Merck Foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters and does not engage in or support any political activities. The organisation's work is a testament to its commitment to creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about various social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities. Through training 3700+ media persons, Merck Foundation has played a significant role in raising awareness and fostering open discussions about these critical topics.
The Merck Foundation App can be downloaded from its website, providing users with easy access to resources, updates, and news about the organisation's initiatives and achievements. Stream the Inaugural Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel and the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit 2025 live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
In conclusion, Merck Foundation's work embodies a strong commitment to empowering individuals, fostering education, promoting healthcare, and encouraging art. Through its various initiatives, the organisation continues to make a significant impact in Africa and beyond.
