Merck Foundation CEO and 12 African and Asian First Ladies Share Partnership Journey in Transforming Patient Care, Supporting Girl Education and Breaking Infertility Stigma

The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, held the 13th Edition of its Africa Asia Luminary on June 18-19, 2026, via online videoconference. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, alongside 12 First Ladies from African and Asian countries who served as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. The conference marked the Foundation's 9th anniversary and 14 years of development programs, coinciding with World Infertility Awareness Month. Dr. Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has provided over 800 scholarships in fertility, embryology, and reproductive health out of a total of 2,600+ scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 critical medical specialties. The First Ladies, who are Ambassadors of the 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' initiative, discussed progress in transforming patient care, breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending child marriage and FGM, stopping gender-based violence, and promoting awareness of diabetes and hypertension.