According to African Press Organization, the summit provided a platform for the discussion of strategies aimed at reshaping patient care in The Gambia. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the achievements of the partnership since 2017, noting that 87 scholarships have been awarded to local Gambian doctors in underserved specialties such as Oncology, Fertility, Embryology, and Diabetes. This initiative aims to train specialists in various medical fields, transforming patient care in The Gambia.

H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow expressed her excitement about the summit and the progress made through the partnership. She emphasized the significance of the platform in discussing strategies for the future of Africa and Asia.

During the second day of the summit, the MFFLI committee meeting took place, where First Ladies from Africa and Asia shared impact reports on Merck Foundation programs in their countries and discussed future strategies.

In partnership with The Gambia’s First Lady, Merck Foundation has supported training for local doctors, including 27 scholarships in oncology and 23 in fertility and embryology. Additional scholarships have been provided in respiratory care, acute medicine, infectious diseases, and neonatal care. The foundation aims to continue building healthcare capacity in The Gambia and beyond.

Merck Foundation has also conducted online health media training in partnership with the Office of the First Lady to highlight the media’s role in addressing social and health issues. Applications for awards in media, music, fashion, film, and other fields have been announced in collaboration with The Gambia’s First Lady.

Moreover, seven children’s storybooks have been launched to address social and health issues, such as infertility stigma, girl education, and diabetes awareness. The summit was streamed live on Merck Foundation’s social media platforms, showcasing the foundation’s commitment to transforming patient care and addressing health and social issues across Africa and Asia.