Remi Tinubu champions healthcare, girl-child education at Merck Foundation summit
Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has underscored the power of partnerships in tackling healthcare challenges and empowering communities, during her debut appearance at the 7th edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, held in Dubai.
Speaking on Wednesday, June 18, Tinubu praised the Merck Foundation’s efforts in building healthcare capacity and promoting social development across Africa and Asia, citing its tangible impact in Nigeria.
“I am honoured to join my dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, in championing the ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign,” she said. “This initiative addresses critical issues such as infertility stigma and empowers women. I thank Merck Foundation for their visionary leadership and congratulate them on their 8th anniversary.”
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing healthcare and education, revealing that 63 Nigerian doctors have received scholarships through Merck Foundation programs. The training spans fertility care, diabetes management, cardiology, psychiatry, and other underserved specialties.
“Upon completing their training, these doctors will establish clinics in their communities, providing essential healthcare services,” she noted. “This is a vital step towards improving public health outcomes in Nigeria, and I am committed to expanding this program through my office and the Ministry of Health.”
Highlighting efforts to combat diabetes, Tinubu mentioned that 39 Nigerian doctors have undergone advanced training under the Diabetes Blue Program, while 16 others have been trained in acute medicine, respiratory care, and critical care.
Beyond health, Tinubu emphasized her dedication to girl-child education, aligning with the Merck Foundation’s Educating Linda initiative, which sponsors the education of underprivileged girls.
“Education is the cornerstone of progress,” she said. “Through collaborations with the African Union Development Agency, we have supported scholarships and established 40 alternative high schools for girls who dropped out due to early marriage or pregnancy. These schools offer a second chance for these young women to achieve their dreams.”
Tinubu also expressed optimism about deepening collaboration with the Merck Foundation in addressing gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and health issues such as hypertension and infertility stigma.
Earlier at the summit, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, applauded African First Ladies for their commitment to healthcare and social development.
“This summit symbolises what we can achieve together,” he said. “Our programs, such as the scholarship initiative, are transforming healthcare in underserved regions by building a generation of specialists.”
He noted that beyond financial constraints, Africa faces a severe shortage of trained healthcare providers, which limits the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases.
To bridge this gap, the foundation has provided over 2,270 scholarships for one- and two-year master’s degrees in 44 critical medical specialties across 52 countries.
Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kalej, in her welcome remarks, said the foundation’s work has directly improved millions of lives.
“Our scholarships in over 44 critical specialties are addressing Africa’s dire shortage of medical specialists,” she stated. “We are proud of the significant impact this has made.”
She added that nearly 1,000 scholarships for girls have been awarded in more than 17 countries in partnership with First Ladies, emphasizing that the summit reflects the power of collaboration in addressing pressing health and social issues.
