Merck Foundation marks 14 years of impacting people
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, said it remains committed to improving health and well-being of the people by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees made remarks during the opening of the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 held on Thursday and Friday, through an online videoconference.
The event coincided with the marking of the 9th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 14 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that were started in 2012.
Dr. Frank and Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary along with The First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, inaugurated the annual conference.
“At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond,” said Dr. Frank.
“Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”
He commended the First Ladies who joined the event as chief guests as well as the ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and all their partners for their unwavering support and collaboration.
Dr. Rasha, who also serves as the President of “More Than a Mother” stated that it was a great privilege to welcome participants, including the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who act as the Ambassadors of the ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign.
She said together, they exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of Merck Foundation’s programs, aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.
Over the years, Merck Foundation has provided more than 2600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, according to Dr. Rasha.
Many of Merck Foundation alumni have become the first specialists in their countries.
“Together with our Ambassadors and partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa, Asia, and beyond,” she said.
More than 800 scholarships have been offered to healthcare providers in the fields of Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry and Women’s Health.
The scholarships are helping strengthen fertility care services and improving access to women’s health across 42 countries.
The conference also served as an occasion to mark World Infertility Awareness Month, observed annually in June, through the Foundation’s historic “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, dedicated to empowering infertile and childless women by providing access to information, health, education, and change of mindset. (By Nation Reporter)
