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Merck Foundation

The Philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA

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Our Vision

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A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEAD A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING LIFE

Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through Science and Technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions, building healthcare, scientific research & media capacity, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girls' education. 

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Impact of Merck Foundation Programs (as of December 2025)

Hear Our Stories

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Dr. Rasha Kelej Marks the 10th Anniversary of the historic "More Than a Mother" Campaign

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Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Speech at Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025

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Dr. Rasha Kelej supports Girl Education through Educating Linda Program with African First Ladies

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Dr. Rasha Kelej at Inauguration of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit 2025

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Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp speech at Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025

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"Ray of Hope" – Merck Foundation Animation Film on Early Detection and Treatment of Childhood Cancer MFAF

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Our Awards (Apply Now)

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Messages From Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on marking International Women’s Day 2026Read More

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Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Being Recognized as One of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African MagazineRead More

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Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej about the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, Co-Chaired by The Gambia First Lady and Inaugurated by the Gambia Vice President and Merck Foundation...Read More

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Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, about the MFFLI Committee Meeting held with First Ladies of Africa and Asia call for action to build healthcare and Media capacity, Break Infertility Stigma...Read More

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on strengthening healthcare capacity and social development initiatives during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee Meeting 2025Read More

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Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Celebrating the 125 Winners of the 2024 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards and Announcing the 2025 Awards in Partnership with African First LadiesRead More

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Celebrating the Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes & Hypertension” Fashion, Song and Film Awards 2024Read More

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Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on the Release of “Ray of Hope” Storybook and Animation Film for Cancer AwarenessRead More

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Merck Foundation Presents Our Africa by Merck Foundation (TV Program)

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP6: Stop FGM

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Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation ' TV program, Directed & Produced by Merck Foundation CEO Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP1: Diabetes Awareness.

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP2: Ending Child Marriage & Supporting Girl Education

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2026
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 7th Editio

2025

2024
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Merck Foundation Presents Our Africa by Merck Foundation (TV Program)image

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP3: Breaking Infertility Stigma

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP4: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle

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'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP5: Breaking Infertility Stigma


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Our Articlesimage

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Dr. Rasha Kelej Named Among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa After Being...

This latest recognition adds to a series of international accolades received by Dr. Rasha Kelej for...Read More
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Merck Foundation and their “More Than a Mother” Ambassadors, the First ladies of Africa and...

Watch episodes of Our Africa, focusing on Supporting Girl EducationRead More
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Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation: After Being Recognized as One of the 100 Most Influential...

Under Dr. Rasha Kelej’s leadership, Merck Foundation has launched and scaled multiple high-impact...Read More
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Merck Foundation CEO together with African First Ladies mark ‘World Cancer Day 2026’ by building...

Released “Ray of Hope” children’s storybook and Animation Film for Cancer AwarenessRead More
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New African Magazine of UK recognizes Merck Foundation CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej as One of ‘100 Most...

The list of 100 Most Influential Africans 2025 is made up of prominent African Leaders in different...Read More
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Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI to discuss 2026 strategy and share programs’...

Watch the video of MFFLI Committee Meeting held during the 12 Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary...Read More
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Merck Foundation CEO Marks ‘World Diabetes Day’ 2025: Transforming Diabetes, Endocrinology,...

Listen to “No More Sugar” song hereRead More
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Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 Co-Chaired by The Gambia First Lady and Merck Foundation...

Celebrated the 13-year journey of their development programs, during 2025 Luminary.Read More
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Merck Foundation CEO meets the 29 Winners from 13 Countries of their “More Than a Mother” and...

Merck Foundation has so far celebrated 248 winners from 36 CountriesRead More
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Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO together with African First Ladies released “Ray of Hope”...

Watch ‘Ray of Hope’ animation filmRead More
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Merck Foundation CEO and First Ladies of Africa and Asia share their partnership journey in...

The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote...Read More
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Merck Foundation’s 7th Edition of First Ladies Initiative Summit Brings Together 14 African and...

Watch live Stream of Inaugural SessionRead More
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World Heart Day 2025: Dr. Rasha Kelej and African & Asian First Ladies Empower Doctors Across 52...

Merck Foundation has released the First Animation films “Mark’s Pressure”, and “Sugar Free...Read More
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Merck Foundation marks World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025 by providing 716...

Merck Foundation has made history by training the first local Embryologists and Reproductive &...Read More
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Merck Foundation CEO meets Mauritius President to share the Impact of their 100 Scholarships for...

Conducted the 4th Edition of their Health Media Training for the Mauritian Media RepresentativesRead More

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Merck Foundation in Mediaimage

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Senator Rasha Kelej Welcomed Angola First Lady at the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative...

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Merck Foundation CEO meets Cabo Verde First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th...

Also signed an MoU to underscore long-term partnership and to continue Merck Foundation programs in...Read More
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Senator Rasha Kelej Received Gabon First Lady for Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit...

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Senator Rasha Kelej Received The Gambia First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First...

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Merck Foundation CEO meets Ghana First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th Edition...

210 scholarships for local Ghanian doctorsRead More
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First Ladies: Pledge bold action on health, education through MFFLI

Watch here the video of the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee...Read More
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Merck Foundation and First Ladies of Africa and Asia mark World Heart Day by providing 925...

Watch the "Mark's Pressure" Animation film here:Read More
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Senator Rasha Kelej Received Kenya First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies...

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Senator Rasha Kelej Received Liberia First Lady for Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit...

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meetingRead More
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Merck Foundation CEO meets Maldives First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th...

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Maldives Read More
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Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej appoints The First Lady of Mozambique as the Ambassador of Merck Foundation...

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. the First Lady of...Read More
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Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) meets Nigeria First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa...

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meetingRead More
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Merck Foundation CEO Meets the First Lady of São Tome and Principe and 13 First Ladies of Africa...

Watch the Speech of First Lady of São Tome and Principe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than...Read More
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Senator Rasha Kelej Received Senegal First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies...

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Senegal & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a MotherRead More
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Senator Rasha Kelej received Zimbabwe First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies...

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Merck Foundation raises awareness about Ending Child Marriage and Supporting Girl Education in...

Listen to 'I AM Not Anyone's Bride, Take Me to School' Song here:Read More
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Forbes Article talks about Merck Foundation CEO creating Songs With African Musicians to Raise...

Coverage by Forbes AfricaRead More

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Testimonials of Merck Foundation Alumniimage

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Dr. Egide Rwasa, Burundi

Diabetes Mastercourse (French) | 2020
Merck Foundation Alumni

“ Personally, I have witnessed a triple impact, first on the personal level, on the patients and then on the community.......Read More
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Dr Adolphe MUHIRE, Rwanda

Merck Foundation Medical Oncology Fellowship | 2018
Merck Foundation Alumni

“ I am very delighted and honored to benefit from this great opportunity of Merck Foundation Scholarship of Master degree......Read More
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Dr. Moses Chirwa, Zambia

One year Postgraduate diploma in Sexual & Reproductive Medecine | 2020
Advanced ART and Fertility Specialist Training | 2018
Merck Foundation Alumni

“This training has helped me a lot in treating couples presenting with infertility. ...Read More

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Merck Foundation Response to Covid-19 pandemic.
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Upcoming Programs & Call for Applicationsimage


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Merck Foundation More Than A Mother ambassadorsimage


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Digital Libraryimage


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