Merck Foundation Hosts 7th Edition of First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025
High-Level Inauguration
The 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025 was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of MFFLI, and H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo, First Lady of Mozambique and newly appointed Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother.”
The event brought together First Ladies of Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe.
First Lady of Mozambique Officially Appointed Ambassador
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her honor in officially appointing H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo as the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.” As part of the new partnership, Merck Foundation committed to providing 100 scholarships for Mozambican doctors in 42 underserved specialties.
An MoU was signed between Merck Foundation and the Office of the First Lady of Mozambique to emphasize their long-term collaboration in healthcare capacity-building, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girls’ education.
Mozambique’s Commitment to Healthcare
H.E. Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo welcomed the partnership, highlighting that 18 scholarships have already been awarded to Mozambican doctors in areas such as diabetes, endocrinology, acute medicine, infectious diseases, and pain management. The target is to provide a total of 100 scholarships through the initiative.
Day 2 Committee Meeting with First Ladies
On the second day, the MFFLI committee meeting convened African and Asian First Ladies with the Merck Foundation leadership. Impact reports of Merck Foundation programs were shared, and strategies for future healthcare and social initiatives were discussed.
Strengthening Healthcare Across Africa
Since 2012, Merck Foundation has provided 2,280 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in over 44 specialties. Mozambique will continue to benefit from upcoming enrollments through the partnership with the First Lady and the Ministry of Health.
Expanding Social Impact Programs
Merck Foundation also launched calls for applications for eight annual awards in partnership with the First Lady of Mozambique. These awards target journalists, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, students, and emerging creative talents to raise awareness about health and social challenges.
Culture Shift Through Media and Arts
Merck Foundation’s impact extends beyond scholarships, including:
- Training 3,700+ media professionals across 35 countries
- Producing 30 songs on health and social issues
- Publishing 8 children’s storybooks in English, French, and Portuguese
- Creating 7 awareness animation films in five languages
- Broadcasting the Pan-African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”
- Empowering 950+ underprivileged African schoolgirls with scholarships
Digital Engagement
The 7th MFFLI Summit was streamed live on Merck Foundation and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej’s social media platforms, reaching over 8 million followers across 15 channels.