Two important occasions were marked; the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 18, 2025/APO Group/ --
- Link to Live Stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit 2025 on 19th and 20th June in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, along with the First Ladies of Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabonese Republic, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal and Zimbabwe during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, along with 14 First Ladies from Africa and Asia during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit in Dubai (1)

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, along with 14 First Ladies from Africa and Asia during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit in Dubai (2)

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, along with 14 First Ladies from Africa and Asia during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit in Dubai (3)

Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, along with 14 First Ladies from Africa and Asia during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit in Dubai (4)
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative” emphasized, “It is my great honor to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit.
Through this important platform, we have collectively exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to sincerely thank our Ambassadors and partners. Together, with your unwavering support and collaboration, we will continue to work towards our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”
The First Ladies of 14 countries, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, joined as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. They are:
- H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola
- H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
- H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
- H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
- H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
- H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
- H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
- H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
- H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
- H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
- H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
- H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
- H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2280 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties. Many of our Merck Foundation Alumni are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and Partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries.”
“During our Conference, we also marked together the World Infertility Awareness Month, observed in June, through our signature campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, which aims to empower infertile and childless women by providing access to information, education, and change of mindset. I am happy to share that out of the total 2280 scholarships, more than 700 scholarships have been provided for training in Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine, to improve access to fertility care and women’s health”, she further added.
During the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012.
On the first day, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.
The Day 2 of the conference will have three key parallel session will be held- Two medical and scientific sessions covering Oncology and Fertility Topics, and a community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.
The conference is being conducted in a hybrid format, enabling over 6,000 audiences from more than 70 countries to benefit, meet and discuss strategies and solutions for the health and social challenges in their countries safely and effectively.
Countries participating in the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative:
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.
The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative is streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:
@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi), X (https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf).
@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3ZBhIi7), X (https://apo-opa.co/3FT5D13), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3HNpOOr), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZF3Xiq).
Link to the Facebook live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo
Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:
• 2280+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:
• 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues
• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs
• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
• 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese
• 7 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.
• Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
• 950+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls to empower them to complete their studies
• 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
All these questions are answerable and I believe Kulmiye Party Leaders could easily answer them all.
Any other party is better than UDUB party, but I will prefer Kulmiye to leader the country into the future and it is up to them though to learn from the mistakes that UDUB party have done. So,it is up to them to differentiate them from the other parties in terms good governance, accountability, transparency, corruption fighting, inclusiveness, engaging and consultants with the public, sharing power and decision-making, and keeping the peace.
UCID on the hand, has to find a direction and focus on what is important to the country and its people and to stop flip-flopping.
You said UCID flip-flops. What does Kulmiye do other than cry wolf about any action taken by the government?
Do they really have a political programme? Or are they just trying to replace UDUB and take their place so as to steal from the government in turn, or even possibly, ignite a civil war, a job that some Kulmiye members excel at?
I do agree with Gobaad with all respect to Eng. Faysal, Mr. Abdularahman Mohamed (Aka Cirro) and Mr. Adam Mohamed (Aka Waqaf) but we all know that Eg. Faysal is leading thr party alone and no one can argue about any decision he takes forget about changing the party leader even if they lose the coming elections (Eng. Faysal will be the leader of UCID till he die). In addition Eng. Faysal is well known for his confusing statements and conflicting positions and if I were in Mujahid Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud's position I won't trust him (simply he can insult me next day in media).
And about Kulmiye crying I myself really surprise about Mujahid Ahmed's endurance and again if I was in his position I will topple him and If Kulmiye want civil war as you claim what stop them as far as I know they can win it easily and guess what Mujahid Ahmed can topple President Dahir without spilling a single drop of blood.
These are excellent questions. But I know Kulmiye has no answers for them. In fact they are not that different from UDUB, or could be even worse.
Kulmiye should form a coalition with Ucid and name Faysal the vice president in that case. I say this considering Siilanyo's age and the possibility of him not finishing his term in office which spells his vice president Saylici who is virtually unkown is a heartbeat away from being our president. Now ask yourselves this, can we Somalilanders afford another Riyaale?
Kulmiye should enter into a coalition with Ucid and name Faysal vice president. Silanyo is too old and might not finish his term in office and who do we have a heartbeat away from the presidency this Saylici guy who is vitually unkown which spells another Rayaale, do we Somalilanders need more wasted 8 years?
Very good observation.
I wish more of our people would focus on the bigger picture, we cant afford another Riyaale it will spell death for Somaliland.
I really respect and admire Faisal Ali Warabe but I dont think the guy is fit for politics he has dirty mouth and he might act funny on the international stage. Thats from what I have seen I dont know him personally.
Over all lets agree its time for change, I dont get why people support UDUB when they have achieved nada. I was UDUB supporter but I need change, if Kulmiye fails to deliver those changes I be happy to join a new party with a new vision.
I dont get people who never change and always do the same things, I recommend you all read "Who Moved My Cheese?"
"If you've ever been afraid to make a change for fear of what might come; if you think the world is your oyster and can't possibly get any better; if things slowly seem to be "going to hell in a hand basket," you need to read this book! One reading can change your life." ABC's of Small Business
Jubba if you had to choose between Faysal Waraabe and Saylici who would you pick to be president?
I presonally would take Faysal anyday over Saylici for the simple fact he was SNM. This mentality is what got us Riyaale in the first place, we cant afford to gamble with the future of our children.
Do you mean Silanyo? Neve heard of a Saylici dude running for presidential post in the country.
let me clarify something? KULMIYE party should oppose anything the government suggest, cause they are the 'opposition' however what concerns me the most is, after reading numerous news from Somaliland there is or was a constant disagreement in the KULMIYE party meetings last year and this year indeed and leadership changes and so on…..and yet so many people ignore all of these challanges and argue that KULMIYE is the party for Somaliland. not one leader have said from any party .. i will improve education, hospitals, roads, housing, water, environment…those lies that political leaders scream out during elections…yet the scary part is no one cares, its still about who is closer to me ….here it comes the great somali down fall the thing that made the largest ethnic group in the horn of Africa lack progress……….WHICH CLAN DOES HE BELONG TO………..the same loyal followers of UBUD,KULMIYE and UCID. Something a well established muslim, educated and proud Somlialnder who lives abroad will never understand. So my follow brother lets celebrate there is peace and elections are being held and be happy whatever we get now and hope for the best in the future, our son and daughters who might develop a different dreams and aspirations.
Elmi,
Faysal was never part of SNM so let's not get excited here. As for making Faysal the vice-president for Mr Silanyo, it ain't gonna happen. Faisal is unguided missile and Kulmiye is very Happy with Saylaci as our vice-president. Silanyo age is not a factor he's 73yrs old and in good health marka don't use the age card. We rather have an old mature seasoned politician than a 60y.o faisal that's simply crazy.
As a Kulmiye supporter I will give you an approximation of their answers:
1- Kulmiye will do it the smart way, they won't kick out the foreign consultants like UDUB have done so dont worry about it.
2-No because its simply unconstitutional.
3- In the same Interview he said " We will acknowledge clans in the context of regions and in the context only".
4-I can assure they will do a better job than UDUB did.
5- Do you still have faith in the Somaliland Judiciary system?
6-This a delicate situation, its of a national security matter not campaign material.
7-If its in the best interest of Somaliland -recognition-.
Naliye how about the possibility of Siilanyo not finishing his term and how well is Saylici vetted as a vice president, see am all for Kulmiye but I worry we might end up where we started with another Rayaale.
Naliye how well is Saylici vetted as a vice president, where is he from, is he qualified to be president in case Selanyo doesnt finish his term for whatever reasons? See as much as I love to support Kulmiye all the way I have some doubts about the vice presidential nominee Saylici and I hate for us to end up with another Rayaale.
Remember my fellow somalilanders, when it comes to the dirty game of politics what u see is not always what you get..
I have no association or afflication with any of the 3 political parties currently competing in the forecoming somaliland elections, lets get something very clear from the start…
Not 1 party has come up with a list of objectives they are hoping to achieve for our country if they are elected, no clear stragety on what they are going to implement, no set targets for each region or town and what about goals i.e. NEW SCHOOLS they are hoping to build, HOSPITALS, INFUSTRATURE, NEW ROADS.. Plans on how to raise investment for the country.. These are the REAL ISSUES that face our country today!!!
Unemployment currently stands @ above 90%, but is anyone thinking about asking the 3 leaders of these parties about job opportunities and the plans they have in creating employment for the thousands of graudates, that have come through the education system, but find themselves with a well earned degree in their possession but no work..
My grandfather was a farmer, my great- grandfather too, but lets not asksame questions they once did and lets not have the same mentality of previous generations, and lets look beyond the which “TRIBE or SUB-CLAN” is that leader from and im going to vote for him ideology no matter what..
Because if we use such a old fashion way of thinking and an outdated method, than ladies and gentleman lets not expect progression, or a brighter future for the children of tomorrow who we all hope to become the future leaders of this country that is Somaliland and lets all just be happy and settle for SECOND BEST!!!….
saad said something similar….
Answering these questions are not gona be rock science for Kulmiye. I believe the questions are not even tough and chokible enough for Kulmiye or any other political party. Question two, particularly, seems bit of a dull thing to ask; I mean why would major opposing parties unite? We need at least three opposing parties who would challenge each other to keep the whole game fair and more democratic (having more choices is good).
I do believe that Kulmiye, at this time and situation in our country, is the better choice. UDUB is starting to become bit of a dictatorship regime that does not want to have a power share. No, seriously, before they sting their fangs deeper than they have already done, let us get rid of them. CHANGE IS GOOD, and them lot seem to not understand it or want it.
P.S. Don't delete my comment here, please.
Here's Silanyo's presentation and political platform;
Hey guys will u hold your horses for a minute? You have realized that Kulmiye is gonna win the presidential election, if you are thinking in that way you forgot, or ignoring that Kulmiye Political party is not acting like a political party it acting like Robary film acters. So please you better change the bottom sides and add.
Cheers.