Nairobi: Senator Rasha Kelej (Ret.) received Kenya First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to discuss their joint programs to build healthcare capacity.

According to African Press Organization, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, held the event, inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative. The summit was attended by H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, and Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, along with First Ladies from several African countries.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the provision of 244 scholarships to local Kenyan doctors across various specialties such as Fertility, Oncology, Diabetes, and more. Notably, around 50% of these scholarships were awarded to female healthcare providers, marking a significant step towards women's empowerment in the healthcare sector.

H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto expressed pride in the partnership with Merck Foundation, emphasizing the transformative impact of the 244 scholarships on Kenya's public healthcare landscape. She also noted the importance of educating girls through the Educating Linda program, which provides annual scholarships to 47 top-performing but underprivileged girls.

The summit also included a committee meeting with the First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation's leadership to review the impact of foundation programs and discuss future strategies. The partnership between Merck Foundation and the Kenya First Lady has resulted in 224 scholarships for young doctors in critical specialties, including Diabetes, Oncology, and Sexual and Reproductive Medicine.

In addition to healthcare initiatives, the foundation launched several children's storybooks and awareness campaigns to tackle social and health issues like infertility stigma and diabetes. The foundation's efforts extend beyond healthcare, contributing to cultural shifts and awareness through media training, awards, and creative projects.

Merck Foundation's dedication to building healthcare capacity has led to 2500 scholarships across 52 countries in 44 specialties. Their holistic approach includes media training, artistic collaborations, and educational support to address health and social issues in Africa and beyond.