Merck Foundation has opened the seventh edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai, bringing together its leadership and First Ladies from Africa and Asia to review progress on health and social programmes.
The two-day summit, held on 19 and 20 June 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, was inaugurated 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 and President of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative. First Ladies from 14 African and Asian countries attended as Guests of Honour and Keynote Speakers.
Speaking at the opening, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej said, “It is my great honor to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit.
“Through this important platform, we have collectively exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp said the foundation’s focus remains on long-term health impact. “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to sincerely thank our Ambassadors and partners. Together, with your unwavering support and collaboration, we will continue to work towards our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”
The participating First Ladies, all Ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, represented Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal and Zimbabwe.
During the summit, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the scale of Merck Foundation’s medical training efforts. “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2500 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 also marked World Infertility Awareness Month in June through the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej noted that more than 700 of the 2500 scholarships have supported training in fertility, reproductive medicine, women’s health and related fields.
The summit coincided with the eighth anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of its development programmes, which began in 2012. Day one featured a plenary session with First Ladies and a ministerial panel involving African ministers and global health experts. Day two included medical sessions on oncology and fertility, alongside a health media training session focused on social and public health challenges.
Held in a hybrid format, the summit connected more than 6,000 participants from over 70 countries.
