12 AFRICAN, ASIAN FIRST LADIES INAUGURATE 13TH MERCK FOUNDATION LUMINARY CONFERENCE

12 AFRICAN, ASIAN FIRST LADIES INAUGURATE 13TH MERCK FOUNDATION LUMINARY CONFERENCE

The 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 has been inaugurated by the Chairman of the Merck Foundation, Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Senator Dr, Rasha Kelej, alongside First Ladies from 12 African and Asian countries of Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe

Speaking at the conference via video conference, Dr. Kelej described the gathering as an opportunity for leaders and stakeholders to exchange experiences and assess the impact of programmes aimed at transforming healthcare delivery and addressing critical social and health challenges across Africa and Asia.

“During our Conference, we also marked World Infertility Awareness Month, observed annually in June, through our 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.

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the First Ladies of Africa and Asia who joined us as Guests of Honor, as well as to the Ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and all our partners for their unwavering support and collaboration. 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. Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”

The foundation revealed that it has provided more than 2,600 scholarships to healthcare professionals from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, with many beneficiaries becoming the first specialists in their respective countries and awarded over 800 scholarships in fertility, embryology, women’s health, reproductive medicine and related fields under the foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, which seeks to support infertile and childless women through education, healthcare access and advocacy.

The conference marked the 9th anniversary of the Merck Foundation and 14 years of its development programmes.

The opening session featured a high-level panel discussion involving participating First Ladies, who reviewed achievements and explored strategies for improving healthcare systems and social development across their countries.

The participating first ladies are :

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

The conference showcased the collective efforts and achievements of Merck Foundation and their partners