Malé: Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, recently engaged with the First Lady of the Maldives, Madam Sajidha Mohamed, and 13 First Ladies from Africa at the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit. The discussions centered on collaborative programs aimed at transforming patient care and addressing pressing social and health issues.
According to African Press Organization, the summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, alongside Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and Madam Sajidha Mohamed. The event was attended by First Ladies from several African nations, including Angola, Cabo Verde, and Ghana, among others. The summit provided a platform to review the impact of Merck Foundation’s initiatives and strategize future efforts.
During the summit, Dr. Kelej highlighted the ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity by providing scholarships to local doctors, particularly in fertility and embryology. The initiative has already seen the enrollment of doctors in these specialized training programs. The Merck Foundation has awarded 2,280 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties.
The summit also focused on community awareness programs targeting critical social issues in collaboration with the First Lady of the Maldives. These programs aim to break the stigma around infertility, combat gender-based violence, and promote women’s empowerment. Health issues such as diabetes and hypertension awareness are also prioritized through these initiatives.
Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Lady of the Maldives, plans to conduct Health Media Training for Maldivian media representatives. This training will emphasize the role of media in addressing social and health issues. Additionally, the foundation announced a call for applications for eight awards in media, music, fashion, and other creative fields.
Furthermore, the partnership will see the launch of seven children’s storybooks addressing social and health concerns. These books aim to educate on topics such as infertility stigma, girl education, and diabetes awareness.
The summit was streamed live on Merck Foundation’s social media channels, allowing a broader audience to engage with the discussions. The foundation continues to make significant strides in transforming patient care and addressing social issues across Africa, Asia, and beyond through scholarships, media training, and creative initiatives.