Merck Foundation highlights scholarships, social impact at Africa Asia Luminary in Gambia
Merck Foundation recently held its 12th Africa Asia Luminary in Banjul, The Gambia, in collaboration with the Gambian government. The event brought together African First Ladies and healthcare leaders to discuss strategies for improving health and education across the continent.
H.E. Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of Liberia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother,” joined the forum alongside the First Ladies of Burundi, Central Africa, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal. The conference was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of The Gambia and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Dr. Kelej highlighted the foundation’s impact in Liberia, where 52 scholarships have been awarded to doctors in fields including fertility, embryology, oncology, pediatrics, acute medicine, and diabetes care. Many scholarship recipients have become the first specialists in Liberia’s public healthcare system, demonstrating measurable improvements in patient care.
Programs shaping healthcare and education
In Liberia, 28 scholarships supported fertility, embryology, and sexual and reproductive medicine. Five doctors received oncology scholarships to enhance cancer care, while nine pursued acute medicine, dermatology, infectious disease, pediatrics, and nursing training. Ten scholarships targeted diabetes, endocrinology, and preventive cardiovascular medicine, enabling doctors to establish specialized clinics.
The foundation’s “Educating Linda” initiative provides annual scholarships to 40 high-achieving girls, while 3,000 school item sets were distributed to underprivileged students. Nine children’s storybooks were launched to address social and health issues, including infertility stigma, girl education, ending child marriage, and promoting awareness of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Collaboration and future impact
The conference featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, and a Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) meeting, where African First Ladies shared impact reports and discussed future strategies. Merck Foundation has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers in 52 countries and trained more than 3,700 media representatives to raise awareness on social and health issues.
The foundation also produces awards, songs, storybooks, and awareness films in multiple languages and runs the pan-African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” to promote health and education initiatives across Africa. With more than 8.5 million followers across 15 social media channels, Merck Foundation continues to amplify its programs and empower communities.
