Merck Foundation CEO and 12 African and Asian First Ladies Share Their Partnership Journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape, Supporting Girl Education and Breaking Infertility Stigma
The Merck Foundation hosted its 13th annual Africa Asia Luminary, bringing together First Ladies from 12 nations to discuss progress in healthcare, education, and social advocacy. The event highlighted the foundation's commitment to providing scholarships for medical professionals and initiatives aimed at ending infertility stigma and supporting girls' education.
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This partnership model demonstrates how private philanthropic arms can influence public health policy and social development in underserved regions by leveraging high-level political advocacy and professional medical training.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – Business Wire India
Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 13 th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on 18 th and 19 th June, through an 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 the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. The First Ladies who joined were:
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