According to African Press Organization, the summit, inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, saw significant participation from First Ladies across Africa and Asia, including H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of The Gambia. The initiative underscores the ongoing partnership with Merck Foundation since 2017, which has seen the provision of 87 scholarships to Gambian doctors in various critical medical disciplines.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the profound impact of the partnership on The Gambia’s healthcare landscape. Since its inception, the initiative has trained specialists in fields such as Oncology, Respiratory Medicine, Fertility, and more. The scholarships aim to bolster local capacity and improve access to specialized healthcare, which is crucial for the nation’s medical advancement.

H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative’s progress and its potential to shape the future of healthcare in The Gambia and beyond. The summit facilitated dialogue on strategies to advance healthcare, with a focus on achieving sustainable impacts across participating countries.

The second day of the summit featured the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative committee meeting, where the impact of programs across countries was reviewed, and future strategies were outlined. The collaboration has been instrumental in addressing critical healthcare needs, providing training to doctors in underserved specialties.

Merck Foundation’s commitment extends beyond scholarships, with initiatives aimed at amplifying media’s role in addressing social and health issues. The foundation has also launched multiple awards and educational materials, including children’s storybooks and awareness films, in partnership with The Gambia’s First Lady.

The summit also marked the announcement of the call for applications for various awards aimed at engaging media, musicians, fashion designers, and filmmakers to foster awareness of social and health issues. The initiative continues to grow, aiming to transform not only The Gambia’s healthcare system but also those of other nations involved in the partnership.