By Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Accra, June 24, GNA – The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has held the 13th edition of its Africa-Asia Luminary, bringing together 12 African and Asian First Ladies and other stakeholders to discuss health and well-being in their countries.
The two-day summit, held on June 18 and 19 via videoconference, featured scientific sessions and attracted more than 800 participants from 57 countries, including academia, policymakers, healthcare experts, development partners, and media practitioners. It was also followed by over 20,000 viewers through social media livestreams.
The event was co-chaired by Professor Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr Rasha Kelej (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation and Chairperson of the Africa-Asia Luminary.
Participants exchanged experiences and engaged in discussions on the impact of the Foundation’s programmes, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness on critical social and health issues.
Prof Dr Stangenberg-Haverkamp, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to the First Ladies of Africa and Asia who participated as guests of honour, as well as ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and partners for their support over the years.
He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of people by building healthcare capacity and ensuring access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
“Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life,” he said.
First Ladies who participated in the Luminary included Dr Ana Dias Lourenco of Angola; Mrs Kaone Boko of Botswana; Dr Debora Katisa Carvalho of Cabo Verde; Madam Brigitte Touadera of the Central African Republic; and Madam Zita Oligui Nguema of Gabon.
Others were Mrs Rachel Ruto of Kenya and Mrs Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of The Gambia, with additional participation from counterparts in Nigeria, Mozambique, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Maldives.
In their keynote addresses, the First Ladies acknowledged the impact of their partnerships with the Merck Foundation on the lives of women, girls, and communities in their respective countries.
They noted that the collaboration had contributed to addressing women’s health challenges, promoting girls’ education, and training healthcare professionals in areas such as cancer, diabetes, and infertility, including tackling the associated stigma, which disproportionately affects women.
The First Lady of Gabon called for stronger partnerships to address gender-based violence, break barriers, and create equal opportunities for people across Africa.
The Kenyan First Lady on her part, emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration to improve the well-being of citizens, reduce infertility stigma, and build a future “where no one lacks.”
The First Lady of the Central African Republic urged her counterparts to intensify efforts to combat child marriage and promote girls’ education.
On her part, the First Lady of Cabo Verde expressed gratitude to the Merck Foundation for providing scholarships to healthcare professionals in their countries to build capacity in the health sector, and expressed hope for sustained collaboration.
Senator Dr Kelej, who is also President of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, welcomed the First Ladies, who serve as ambassadors of the initiative, and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to continued collaboration.
She commended the First Ladies for their dedication to improving the quality of life of their citizens and reiterated the Foundation’s focus on professional training, girl-child education under the Educating Linda Programme, and improving health outcomes for mothers and vulnerable groups.
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, works to advance health and improve lives through science and technology. Its programmes focus on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare in underserved communities, building healthcare and research capacity, and empowering girls through education and people in STEM, particularly women and youth.
The Foundation also collaborates with governments, healthcare professionals, and the media to improve social and health outcomes in communities in need.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Writer: Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Email: [email protected]