Merck Foundation CEO and 12 First Ladies from Africa and Asia celebrate partnership journey

Publication Date: 2026-07-16 08:16:46

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO along with the 12 African and Asian First Ladies at the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary

Dubai, United Arab Emirates & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – Business Wire India

• Merck Foundation celebrated its 9th Anniversary and 14 Years of Development Programs and Impact.
• Merck Foundation marked World Infertility Awareness Month during their Annual Conference.

Link to Live Stream of Inaugural Session of 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ECXNpQsaJ/

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on 18th and 19th June via online videoconference. The annual conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, along with the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, who joined as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

The First Ladies who joined were:

• H.E. Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of the Republic of Angola
• H.E. Mrs. Kaone Boko, First Lady of the Republic of Botswana
• H.E. Dr. Débora Katisa Carvalho, First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
• H.E. Madam Brigitte Touadera, First Lady of the Central African Republic
• H.E. Madam Zita Oligui Nguema, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
• H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
• H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
• H.E. Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
• H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
• H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo, First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
• H.E. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• H.E. Mrs. Maria de Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother” and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, emphasized:

“I am very proud to conduct the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary together with our Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, who are the Ambassadors of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’. Together, we shared experiences and discussed the impact of our programs in transforming patient care and raising awareness about a wide range of sensitive and critical social issues, including breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending child marriage and FGM, stopping gender-based violence, empowering women, and promoting awareness of important health issues such as diabetes and hypertension.

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As we also mark World Infertility Awareness Month, I am pleased to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 800 scholarships supporting fertility, embryology, reproductive and sexual health, out of the total 2,600+ scholarships provided for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.”

Watch the speech of Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, 2026 here: https://youtu.be/5gY7W5ft2WY

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, emphasized:

“It was great hearing from the First Ladies of Africa and Asia about the remarkable progress they have achieved in their respective countries through Merck Foundation programs. Their achievements are integral to our shared success and the lasting impact of our programs.”

Watch the speech of Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, 2026 here: https://youtu.be/Fkt4rnR2fig