Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary is a yearly educational conference of Merck Foundation, conducted to contribute to the social and economic development of Africa and Asia. It is attended by more than 6000 Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, Academia, Researchers and Health Media from more than 70 English, French, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries annually, to benefit from valuable educational and social development sessions by top International Experts in Diabetes, Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Care, Paediatric emergency, Oncology, Women Health, Cardiovascular Preventive Care, Endocrinology, Respiratory Care, Acute & Critical Care, Psychiatric Care, Internal Medicine and more to contribute to improving disease management, early detection and prevention, building healthcare capacity and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions.

During this annual conference, Merck Foundation conducts four scientific sessions and one media session for all their programs. The educational sessions are under the umbrella of:

• Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Program
• Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program
• Merck Foundation Diabetes Blue Points Program
• Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement & COVID 19 Response Program
• Merck Foundation Health Media Training

Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Objectives:

• Contributing to the Social and Economic Development in Africa, Asia and Developing Countries.
• Advancing Healthcare, Media and Awareness capacities and capabilities.
• Improving Access to Quality and Equitable Healthcare solutions.
• Providing scientific programs particularly designed to serve the unmet healthcare needs of Africa with special focus on disease prevention and early detection and nutritional awareness.
• Engaging Healthcare providers and academia in an open dialogue to explore the educational gaps with the aim to inform the successful implementation of Merck Foundation Programs.
• Meeting of Merck Foundation Alumni, the future experts from Africa and Asia, to exchange experience and discuss challenges and solutions of their training programs.
• Addressing the stigma and social perception of infertility, define intervention to improve access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care and break the stigma around infertile women in Africa.
• Assisting in developing and implementing comprehensive Cancer Control and Prevention Programs and Oncology Fellowship Program that will improve access to Cancer Care in Africa.
• Providing networking opportunity for healthcare experts and caregivers across Africa and Asia to share their knowledge and experiences.
   

11 editions conducted: the nine editions were in nine countries Germany, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, U.A.E., India and Tanzania, the 7th & 8th editions were conducted online.