Dr Rasha speaks on “Africa First Ladies Initiative,”
The story of healthcare transformation in Africa is often told through statistics and grim headlines: a continent burdened with 24% of the global disease load yet staffed by a mere fraction of the world’s healthcare workers. But behind the numbers lies a narrative of hope and relentless commitment, shaped by visionary leadership and bold partnerships. At the heart of this movement stands Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chairperson of the Merck Foundation, whose work has become synonymous with the continent’s stride toward health equity and empowerment.
Dr. Kelej, a senator and an influential African woman recognized repeatedly from 2019 through 2024, is not just a figurehead. She embodies a mission to uplift millions through healthcare capacity building, patient care transformation, and societal change. Under her stewardship, the Merck Foundation has blossomed into a beacon of philanthropy and innovation, dedicated to addressing Africa’s critical health workforce shortage and breaking the stigma surrounding infertility, among other issues. Her leadership is driven by a simple yet profound vision: everyone deserves a healthy and happy life, regardless of geography or circumstance.
A key pillar of this vision is the “Africa First Ladies Initiative,” an unprecedented platform that unites the continent’s First Ladies in a shared cause. This year, the initiative welcomed the First Ladies of Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Senegal for the first time, marking a milestone in collective advocacy and partnership. Their involvement symbolizes more than ceremonial support; it is a powerful alliance that amplifies the Foundation’s programs and mobilizes national attention on women’s health, education, and empowerment.
The impact of this collaboration is tangible and far-reaching. The Foundation’s scholarship program has been instrumental in transforming the healthcare workforce in Africa. Since 2012, more than 2,270 scholarships have been awarded to doctors from 52 countries, supporting advanced training in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. This strategic investment addresses one of Africa’s most pressing healthcare barriers: the scarcity of trained professionals. Some countries had no specialists at all in fields like oncology, fertility care, or intensive care before these programs began. Today, many of these doctors are pioneers, the first specialists in their countries, changing the face of healthcare at the grassroots level.
The statistics tell the story of why such initiatives are urgent. According to recent reports, Africa has only about 2.91 healthcare workers per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold. The continent’s health worker shortage is projected to reach over six million by 2030. This shortfall is exacerbated by uneven distribution—rural areas and public sectors are particularly underserved—creating a dire need for capacity building and retention strategies.
Dr. Kelej’s approach is holistic. Beyond training specialists, the Foundation tackles stigma around infertility—a subject often shrouded in silence and cultural barriers. The Foundation’s programs empower women and support girl’s education, recognizing that health is intertwined with social justice and economic opportunity. This comprehensive strategy is exemplified by the Foundation’s commitment to breaking taboos and supporting women’s reproductive rights, a move that challenges deep-seated cultural norms in many African societies.
The First Ladies Initiative has proven to be a critical amplifier of these messages. By leveraging their influence and networks, the First Ladies help to integrate health and empowerment programs into national priorities. Their participation turns the Foundation’s vision into policy dialogues, community actions, and public awareness campaigns. Events like the recent summit—now in its eighth year—are more than conferences; they are incubators of solutions and solidarity, where leaders, experts, and advocates converge to share progress and chart future paths.
During her visits to various countries, Dr. Kelej has met many doctors who were once scholarship recipients and are now changemakers in their communities. Their stories reflect a ripple effect: enhanced healthcare services, improved patient outcomes, and stronger health systems. These alumni embody the Foundation’s mission in action, showing how targeted investment in human capital can reshape public health landscapes. Their work extends beyond hospitals and clinics—it touches economic resilience and social stability.
This transformation is also a testament to the power of partnerships. The Merck Foundation collaborates with governments, academic institutions, and international organizations to maximize impact. The synergy between the Foundation and the First Ladies creates a multi-layered network that supports sustainable change. This model of cooperation could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts in other regions struggling with healthcare workforce gaps and gender inequities.
As the Merck Foundation celebrates its eighth anniversary and thirteen years of impactful programs, the momentum is palpable. The Foundation’s work is far from over, but the foundation laid by Dr. Kelej and her partners has shifted the paradigm. Africa’s healthcare future is being rewritten—not just by the numbers trained or policies enacted, but by the lives changed and the barriers broken. This is a story worth watching, a story with Africa’s brightest chapters still ahead.
