The 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 was held on June 18 and 19 via an online videoconference. This 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 the Luminary. The event featured 12 First Ladies from African and Asian countries as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.
Keynote Addresses and Discussions
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the "More Than a Mother" campaign, highlighted the privilege of welcoming the First Ladies as ambassadors. She emphasized the exchange of experiences and discussions on program impacts aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of critical social and health issues.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp expressed appreciation to the First Ladies, ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, and partners for their support. He reaffirmed Merck Foundation's commitment to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing equitable access to quality care across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Participating First Ladies
- H.E. Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola
- H.E. Mrs. Kaone Boko, First Lady of Botswana
- H.E. Dr. Débora Katisa Carvalho, First Lady of Cabo Verde
- H.E. Madam Brigitte Touadera, First Lady of Central African Republic
- H.E. Madam Zita Oligui Nguema, First Lady of Gabon
- H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia
- H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya
- H.E. Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of Liberia
- H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of Maldives
- H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo, First Lady of Mozambique
- H.E. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of Nigeria
- H.E. Mrs. Maria de Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of São Tomé and Príncipe
Scholarship Achievements
Dr. Kelej announced that Merck Foundation has provided over 2,600 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical specialties. Many alumni have become the first specialists in their countries, transforming patient care across Africa and Asia.
During the conference, World Infertility Awareness Month was marked through the "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" campaign. Of the 2,600+ scholarships, more than 800 focused on fertility, embryology, sexual and reproductive medicine, clinical psychiatry, women's health, urology, laparoscopic surgical skills, and family medicine. These scholarships strengthen fertility care and improve access to women's health in 42 countries.
Conference Milestones
The event also celebrated the 9th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 14 years of development programs initiated in 2012. Day 1 featured a high-level panel of First Ladies, attended by over 800 participants from 57 countries, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and media. The conference was live-streamed on social media, reaching over 220,000 viewers.
Day 2 included parallel scientific sessions on oncology and fertility topics. The Luminary was streamed live on Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej's social media handles.
Broader Impact
Merck Foundation has trained over 4,000 media representatives from 42 countries to raise awareness about health and social issues. It annually launches eight awards for media coverage, songs, films, and fashion. The foundation has produced around 30 songs by local African singers in multiple languages, nine children's storybooks, and six awareness animation films. It also runs a Pan African TV program and has awarded over 1,550 annual scholarships to African schoolgirls from 21 countries.
With 15 social media channels and over 9 million followers, Merck Foundation continues to drive change.
