Bukola Afeni
The CEO of Merck Foundation Senator Dr Rasha Kelej has reinforced the commitment of her organisation to transforming patient care landscape in the public sector in Africa and Asia.
She made the disclosure at the 12th Edition of the Africa Asia Merck Foundation Luminary in Gambia
Senator Rasha noted that through partnerships with over 30 African First Ladies, the Foundation has awarded more than 2,400 scholarships to doctors and healthcare providers from 52 countries.
She appreciated the opportunity to host the conference in Gambia.
“I am delighted to host our prestigious annual conference in The Gambia, together with my dear sister and our long-term partner, Mrs Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.”
According to her Merck Foundation has been instrumental in providing support to health specialists across Africa and Asia.
“Before our intervention, some countries like Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia had no specialists in key fields such as oncology, fertility, or ICU care. Patients either had to travel abroad or had no access to treatment at all.
“For The Gambia, the partnership’s impact has been nothing short of transformational. 94 healthcare professionals in The Gambia have benefitted from Merck Foundation scholarships, a remarkable number for a small country, strengthening local capacity in oncology, respiratory care, paediatrics, and reproductive medicine”, she added.
While addressing Africa’s Healthcare Workforce Gap, Prof. Dr. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized the urgency of building human capacity in Africa’s healthcare systems:
He noted that Africa bears 24% of the global disease burden, but had only 2.9 healthcare workers per 1,000 people.
“Before we began in many nations, there were no specialists in key medical fields. The 2,400 scholarships we have provided are critical for public health transformation.”
He also recognized Merck Foundation alumni for playing great role in transforming health care sector across the continent.
” Many of our alumni are the first specialists in their countries including Namibia, Malawi, The Gambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh.
They are the future experts and leaders of healthcare.”
The First Lady of Gambia, Mrs Fatoumatta Bah Barrow highlighted the holistic Social Impact of the Foundation on Women Empowerment and Education.
She stated that the Foundation’s flagship initiative, “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,” continues to challenge infertility stigma, promote gender equality, and fight gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
She disclosed that the “Educating Linda” program provides scholarships to 40 high-performing, but underprivileged girls per country annually, promoting girl-child education as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
Educated girls become empowered women who transform communities”, she said.
President Adama Barrow of Gambia on his part reteirated Gambia’s Commitment to Health and Social Change.
He also commended Merck Foundation’s leadership in changing the narrative in the health sector.
“Through our collaboration with Merck, we are addressing critical issues from infertility awareness and girls’ education to youth empowerment through art, fashion, and journalism. These efforts restore dignity and bring social and economic benefits to our nation.”
He added that Merck Foundation’s training programs now span 44 critical medical specialties, including oncology, endocrinology, cardiovascular medicine, neonatal care, and psychiatry.
According to the President, the goal is not only to train individuals but to build sustainable healthcare systems, reduce dependence on medical tourism, and save lives across Africa.
“Together, we are empowering professionals, uplifting women, and giving the next generation of Africans a healthier, more hopeful future,” concluded Barrow.
