Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Merck Foundation CEO with H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, First Lady of Zimbabwe at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit

Harare, Zimbabwe & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | 6th September 2025: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, successfully hosted the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025. The prestigious event was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, along with Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of MFFLI, and H.E. Amai Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign. The summit also witnessed the participation of First Ladies from Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé & Príncipe, and Senegal.

Strengthening Healthcare in Zimbabwe

Since the beginning of their partnership in 2019, Merck Foundation and the Office of the First Lady of Zimbabwe have awarded 130 scholarships to local doctors across 44 underserved specialties. These scholarships are building a sustainable healthcare system and ensuring access to specialized medical care nationwide.

  • 56 scholarships in Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Obesity & Weight Management are enabling doctors to establish dedicated clinics for tackling chronic diseases.
  • 34 scholarships in Fertility, Embryology, and Reproductive Care are advancing women’s health while helping to eliminate infertility stigma.
  • 40 scholarships in Oncology, Respiratory Care, Neurology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Critical Care, Rheumatology, and more are addressing critical healthcare gaps.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized:

“Together with the First Lady of Zimbabwe, we are creating a strong, self-reliant healthcare workforce. Since 2012, Merck Foundation has provided over 2,280 scholarships to doctors across Africa and Asia, transforming patient care across 52 countries.”

Empowering Women and Girls through Education

The partnership also drives community empowerment and social change.

  • The “Educating Linda” initiative supports 40 underprivileged Zimbabwean schoolgirls, ensuring they complete their education.
  • Merck Foundation has launched seven children’s storybooks including More Than a Mother, Educating Linda, and Sugar-free Jude, to address issues such as infertility stigma, gender equality, diabetes, and hypertension.
  • Over 950 scholarships have been awarded across Africa to empower underprivileged schoolgirls.

H.E. Amai Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe, stated:

“Through our long-term partnership, we are shaping not only a healthier Zimbabwe but also a more empowered one. These programs ensure access to healthcare and education, while also tackling pressing social challenges like gender-based violence and child marriage.”

Media, Arts, and Cultural Impact

Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, is also:

  • Training 3,700+ media professionals from 35+ countries to amplify awareness on social and health issues.
  • Launching 8 annual awards for journalists, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, and students to inspire advocacy through creativity.
  • Producing 30 songs, 8 storybooks, and 7 animated films in multiple languages to promote health awareness and women empowerment.
  • Broadcasting the Pan-African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, which uses Fashion and Art with Purpose to drive cultural change.

Looking Ahead

The summit also hosted the MFFLI Committee Meeting with African and Asian First Ladies, discussing the impact of ongoing programs and outlining strategies for the future. Merck Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding healthcare capacity, supporting girl education, and addressing critical social issues through innovation, training, and advocacy.

For videos and highlights of the event:

About Merck Foundation

Merck Foundation, through its global partnerships, has:

  • Provided 2,280+ scholarships to doctors across 52 countries.
  • Trained 3,700+ journalists to amplify health awareness.
  • Empowered 950+ African schoolgirls through education.
  • Built a community of 8M+ social media followers to drive advocacy.

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