By: Nyima Sillah
The First Lady of The Gambia, Madam Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, has announced that Banjul will host the 12th edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Conference, scheduled for 14–15 October 2025.
She announced on Wednesday while speaking at the 7th edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai. The summit brought together First Ladies from Africa and Asia, ambassadors, and health leaders to reflect on progress in strengthening public healthcare systems.
“Over the years, most of my efforts have focused on improving access to quality health services for all Gambians, especially women and children. This aligns closely with Merck Foundation’s objective of enhancing healthcare systems and services across Africa,” she highlighted significant progress made since 2017 through The Gambia’s partnership with the Merck Foundation, particularly in training healthcare professionals and promoting maternal and child health.
“Our partnership with the Merck Foundation has made a lasting impact on the lives of Gambians. We’ve trained doctors in critical fields such as oncology, fertility, diabetes, sexual and reproductive health, infectious diseases, and neonatal care. By training specialists in these vital fields, we are strengthening and transforming our public health service, thereby achieving a milestone that we deeply value and consider essential for our nation’s progress.
She also spotlighted the Educating Linda programme, which supports the education of 40 high-performing but underprivileged girls annually in The Gambia. “Empowering women starts with education. Girls must have access to safe, uninterrupted schooling and a support system that protects them from abuse and exploitation,” she emphasized.
The First Lady praised the Merck Foundation’s community engagement efforts, particularly its campaigns addressing infertility stigma, gender-based violence, child marriage, and harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation. The Foundation uses creative tools such as animated films and children’s books to raise awareness in schools, reaching thousands of students. Reaffirming her commitment to addressing the challenges facing underserved communities in The Gambia.
Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, noted that the foundation is 13th year and has awarded over 2,270 scholarships to doctors across 52 countries in 44 critical medical specialties. She said this has helped bridge the gap in specialist healthcare across Africa and Asia.
In education, the Foundation has provided nearly 1,000 scholarships to girls in 17 countries, aiming to prevent early child marriage and empower young women. Dr Kelej said these efforts reflect Merck Foundation’s broader mission to drive social and economic progress through capacity building and long-term partnerships.
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