Merck Foundation Unites 12 First Ladies at Luminary 2026

The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany, held its 13th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 via a virtual conference on June 18 and 19 where the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian nations discussed the impact of their relationship to advance health systems, girls' education and key social issues.

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 welcomed the guests to the conference. The First Ladies of Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe were Guest of Honor and keynote speakers for the event.

At the first session of the conference, Dr. Rasha Kelej said the conference was an opportunity for them to be able to look at the work that Merck Foundation has done in Africa and Asia. She said the foundation, along with the first ladies who serve as ambassadors of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign, goes on to talk about health and social issues such as the stigma of infertility, girls' education, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence, women's empowerment, and awareness of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Key Highlights:

• Merck Foundation convened the 13th Africa Asia Luminary 2026 with 12 First Ladies
• Awarded 2,600+ medical scholarships across 52 countries
• Showcased initiatives in healthcare, girls' education, and women's empowerment

The foundation's healthcare initiatives are highlighted by the fact that Dr. Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has awarded over 2,600 scholarships to healthcare professionals in 52 countries for 44 underserved medical specialties. Of these, more than 800 scholarships have been given to the study of fertility, embryology, reproductive and sexual health, which is in line with World Infertility Awareness Month.

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp spoke of the valuable continuing collaboration with the First Ladies, who have helped to expand the reach and impact of the Merck Foundation's programs. Their achievements rely on the success of long-term partnerships for better access to health care and social upliftment, he said.

During the conference, the First Ladies of the countries involved, shared their own achievements in the implementation of the Merck Foundation programs. The First Lady of Angola, Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, referred to the launching of the 'Educating Linda' program that promotes girls' education, in providing school supplies, sanitary products and scholarships.

In the medical field, the foundation has awarded 58 scholarships to people working in healthcare services as critical care specialists, and provided psychometric and diagnostic assessment equipment to help children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Botswana's First Lady Kaone Boko said.

Cabo Verde First Lady Dr. Debora Katisa Carvalho spoke about 'Educating Linda and Lindo', the annual scholarship program to the deserving boys and girls and the donating of sanitary pads to enable girls to stay in school.

In the meantime, Central African Republic First Lady Brigitte Touadéra spoke about the role of the 'Empowering Berna' program which works with women who are infertile to help them through entrepreneurship training and small business development. The 'Educating Linda' program is currently awarding scholarships to 40 underprivileged school girls in the country every year, she added.

Gabon's First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema said the partnership has helped the nation give 16 healthcare workers in less-served specialties a scholarship, and make 40 high-performing schoolgirls a reality each year with the ‘Educating Linda’ program.

The annual Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary continues to promote collaboration and best practices sharing among governments, healthcare leaders and development partners in the ongoing work to build healthcare capacity, strengthen the empowerment of women and educate people in Africa and Asia.