<h1>Merck Foundation and First Lady formalize partnership to boost healthcare capacity with scholarships, specialist trainings, and public awareness</h1> A senior Merck Foundation executive met with the First Lady of the Republic of Maldives at the foundation's First Ladies Initiative summit to formalize partnership activities aimed at strengthening healthcare capacity through scholarships and specialist trainings in fertility and embryology, expansion into other specialties, and media and community awareness programs addressing infertility stigma, gender-based violence and noncommunicable diseases. The foundation announced awards, children's books and media trainings, reported scholarship and training metrics, and emphasized its nonpolitical, humanitarian mandate. The arrangements reflect cross-border philanthropic collaboration involving training, funding commitments, program rollout and public outreach initiatives.