First Ladies from Africa and Asia have placed specialist healthcare training and stronger health systems at the centre of discussions during the 13th edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026, highlighting the growing need to move beyond treatment and invest in building medical expertise across developing countries.
The two-day conference, held virtually on June 18 and 19, brought together First Ladies, healthcare experts, policymakers, academia and media practitioners to assess progress and identify solutions to persistent healthcare and social challenges affecting communities across Africa and Asia.
Organized by Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, the annual gathering focused on how countries can strengthen healthcare delivery by increasing the number of trained specialists in critical and underserved medical fields.
The conference was inaugurated by Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Rasha Kelej together with 12 First Ladies who participated as Guests of Honor and keynote speakers.
Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Kelej said the conference created an opportunity for leaders to evaluate the impact of ongoing programs and exchange experiences on improving patient care and addressing broader social and health concerns.
According to Merck Foundation, one of the biggest areas of focus has been developing specialist human resources for health through education and training.
The Foundation said it has so far provided more than 2,600 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, with some beneficiaries becoming the first specialists in their respective countries.
The discussions reflected a growing recognition that healthcare outcomes depend not only on hospitals and medical equipment but also on the availability of trained professionals capable of delivering specialized services.
Participants also dedicated attention to fertility and women’s health as June marks World Infertility Awareness Month.
Through the Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” initiative, leaders explored ways of reducing infertility stigma and improving access to fertility care and reproductive health services.
Merck Foundation reported that more than 800 scholarships have specifically supported training in fertility, embryology, sexual and reproductive medicine, women’s health, urology, laparoscopic surgical skills and family medicine across 42 countries.
Beyond medical training, the conference examined how awareness campaigns, media engagement and education programs can influence attitudes around health and social issues including infertility, diabetes, hypertension, cancer prevention and girls’ education.
The event also marked nine years of Merck Foundation and 14 years since the launch of its development programs in 2012.
Organizers said the opening day attracted more than 800 participants from 57 countries and reached more than 220,000 viewers through livestream broadcasts.
As discussions closed, one message stood out building stronger healthcare systems in Africa and Asia will require sustained investment in specialist training, partnerships and efforts to address social barriers that continue to limit access to care.
