Merck Foundation

The Philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA

Our Programs

Our Vision A world where everyone can lead a Healthy and Fulfilling Life

The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, 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 in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.

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Merck Foundation Response to Covid-19 pandemic.


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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation
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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej on Community donations provided in Liberia to support livelihood of women and casual workers affected by Coronavirus lockdown.

Merck Foundation together with the FL of Liberia Foundation, extend support to around 1600 people living with disability and casual workers affected by Coronavirus lockdown

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej appreciating the First Lady of The Gambia for her Sustainability Initiative

Let’s work together to save our Planet. Sustainability is a shared responsibility

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej on Merck Foundation strategy to provide specialty training for African doctors to better manage Diabetes and Hypertension patients who are Coronavirus risk groups

Merck Foundation provides trainings to doctors from Africa & Asia and so far we have 183 trainees and enrollments from 35 countries.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on Educating Linda Program

The story of a young girl called Linda, which represents our African girls who struggle for their education every day.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on an inspiring storybook, MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE.

This storybook to be part of our Africa Community awareness campaign about Corona virus.

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Message from Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation about the community donations in partnership with The First Lady of Niger in the country.

For the respect of barrier gestures and measures of social distancing, the donation of the kits was done in groups of 20.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on sudden demise of H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, The President of Burundi.

Our hearts and thoughts are with H.E Denise Nkurunziza, First Lady of Burundi says Dr. Rasha Kelej.

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A Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on World Environment Day 2020

#WorldEnvironmentDay2020

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Message du Dr Rasha Kelej, PDG de la Merck Foundation, suite au décès soudain de S.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, président du Burundi.

Nos coeurs et nos pensées sont avec S.E. Denise Nkurunziza, Première Dame du Burundi, a déclaré le Dr Rasha Kelej.

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A message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on her new song by singers from 11 African countries to support medical workers during Coronavirus battle

This song is to acknowledge their great sacrifice during these tough times in Africa and across the world under the umbrella of an initiative, “Separated but Connected “.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, about supporting African governments strategy to save the people's living and livelihood with the aim to integrate to the Covid-19 combat strategy.

Merck Foundation announced today providing support and food supplies for 500 families of casual and daily workers in Egypt in collaboration with ORMAN foundation

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation appreciating all the healthcare workers, local communities and governments around the world who are on the frontline working towards containing this coronavirus.

Stay safe during this unsettling time. We appreciate the power of Physical distancing. It is our shared responsibility.”

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Dra. Rasha Kelej, PCA da Fundação Merck apresentar a história para enfatizar a importância da educação das meninas.

A história de uma jovem chamada Linda, que representa nossas meninas africanas que lutam por sua educação todos os dias.

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Le Dr Rasha Kelej, PDG de la Fondation Merck, présente une histoire pour souligner l'importance de l'éducation des filles.

L'éducation est la seule chose que personne ne peut vous enlever. Donc, pour toutes les familles, soutenez l'éducation de votre fille comme ce qui s'est passé dans cette histoire.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on the importance of applying Physical Distancing as part of our Social Responsibility.

We are inviting applications for ‘‘Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards in order to reward the journalists who are raising awareness in most effective and creative way on how to keep safe and keep physically & mentally healthy during this difficult phase.

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO of Merck Foundation, on the importance of wearing cloth face covering in public setting.

Apply Physical Distancing and Stay Socially Connected

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on how to cope with Covid-19 lockdown

Stay safe and healthy says Dr. Rasha Kelej

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on the power of Physical Distancing

It is the only way we can together kill Corona Virus, don't take it lightly, stay safe, says Dr. Rasha Kelej.

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Dr. Rasha Kelej, encouraging all Media Representatives across Africa & Asia to apply for ''Stay at Home'' Media Recognition Awards to mark the 'World Health Day' together.

Click here for more details on“Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards.

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A Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation for Earth Day

Let’s work together everyone in our own way to protect our planet and save the earth, says Dr. Rasha Kelej.

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A Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to sensitize our communities on how to keep safe and stay healthy physically and mentally.

Click here for more details on“Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards.

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A message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation about 'David Story', a children storybook that emphasizes the strong family values of love and respect from young age.

Enjoy reading David’s story

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Newsletters/Articles

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Merck Foundation partners with Liberia First Lady to support livelihood of casual workers and physically challenged community during Coronavirus lockdown

Merck Foundation together with Liberia First Lady raced to respond to Coronavirus pandemic through community support, awareness and training doctors

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Rasha Kelej creates a song by singers from 11 African countries to support medical workers during Coronavirus battle

Rasha Kelej: I have directed and produced for the first time, a song by singers from 11 African countries for the first time together in three languages; English, French and Arabic to show our support for medical workers around the world. This is my personal contribution towards the response to Coronavirus pandemic.

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Merck Foundation together with 18 African First Ladies respond to the Coronavirus pandemic in four main areas.

Community support:, Healthcare Capacity Building, Community Awareness through Media Awards and Community awareness for Children and Youth.

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Merck Foundation announce ‘Stay at Home’ Media Recognition Awards for Latin American Countries

Submission deadline is 30th August 2020 - Apply Now.

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Merck Foundation together with African First Ladies continue their strategy to provide specialty training for African doctors to better manage Diabetes and Hypertension patients who are Coronavirus risk groups.

Merck Foundation continues to provide one-year diploma and two-year master’s degree in both Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine and Diabetes for medical postgraduates from more than 35 African and Asian countries

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Merck Foundation In Media

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” أبنة أفريقيا ” توحد القارة السمراء بالصحة والفن والموضة

بلا مبالغة تعتبر المصرية د. رشا قلج ” أبنة إفريقيا ” حالياً واحدة من أهم رائدات القارة السمراء .. تحدت الصعاب .. وساهمت في رسم مستقبل القارة السمراء بمختلف الأصعدة محلياً و أقليمياً ودولياً وخاصة في مجالات ريادة الصحة و الثقافة و الموضة والفن والعمل الإجتماعي و الحياة العامة وتعد “ رشا قلج ” نموذجاً فريداً للمرأة العاشقة لوطنها ولوحدة قارتها الأفريقية .

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Merck Foundation partners with The First Lady of Liberia to support the livelihoods of the casual worker and physically disabled community during Coronavirus confinement

The Merck Foundation has also undertaken similar relief activities in Egypt, as well as in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger in partnership with their First Ladies to continue supporting up to 1000 poor families in each country.

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Over 180 fertility specialists trained in Africa through Merck Foundation

While the COVID-19 phase has inconvenienced travelling, Merck Foundation has started a scholarship program for one year online diploma and two years master degree in sexual and reproductive medicines from the United Kingdom Universities

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Over 11 African musicians unite on a pan-African song

The song which is an initiative of Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer Rasha Kelej was released on the 1st of June to appreciate the health professionals who are at the frontline in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic

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Merck Foundation Trains 500 Specialist Health Workers In Africa

The aim of Merck Foundation training program is to develop a strong platform of specialists in Oncology, Fertility and Diabetes

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