By Bampia James Bundu
Under the shimmering skyline of Dubai, where global conversations on health, empowerment, and leadership converge, Sierra Leone is being proudly represented by one of its finest young journalists—Mackie Muctarr Jalloh.
Already on the ground and actively covering the 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, Mackie is not just reporting on an event—he is documenting a defining moment in global healthcare diplomacy and gender advocacy. The summit, taking place from June 18th to 19th, 2025, is convening 14 First Ladies, high-level policymakers, health professionals, philanthropists, and media practitioners from around the world.
This year’s MFFLI Summit is built around a central theme: transforming patient care and driving women’s health empowerment through sustainable partnerships. The sessions have focused on critical issues such as infertility stigma, diabetes and hypertension awareness, capacity building in oncology and endocrinology, and female empowerment through education and media.
Among the summit’s highlights are the testimonies of impact shared by participating First Ladies, each detailing how the Merck Foundation’s initiatives have strengthened their national health systems. From groundbreaking media campaigns to scholarships for specialized medical training, the event has showcased a comprehensive blueprint for long-term healthcare development across various regions.
In the midst of these transformative discussions, Mackie’s reporting is playing a pivotal role. Armed with a sharp lens and a compelling voice, he is capturing both the global perspective and the nuanced stories that often go unheard. His presence among the international media corps in Dubai is more than a personal achievement—it signals a broader rise of Sierra Leonean journalism on the world stage.
Jalloh’s journey to this summit has been nothing short of remarkable. Earlier this year, he was awarded Second Position in the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2024 (Print Category, West Africa) for his compelling feature story on the social impact of infertility stigma in rural Sierra Leone. That recognition, followed by his win as Young Creative Journalist of the Year at the National Heroes Award 2025, earned him wide acclaim for his powerful storytelling, ethical approach, and commitment to amplifying underreported issues.
What sets Mackie apart, however, is not just his accolades, but his visionary commitment to developmental journalism. As he covers the MFFLI Summit, he is engaging with delegates, healthcare advocates, and policymakers—not simply to report events, but to ask hard questions about health equity, social justice, and systemic accountability.
In exclusive interviews conducted so far, Mackie has engaged with key representatives of the Merck Foundation, including Dr. Rasha Kelej, the dynamic CEO, who opened the summit with a strong call for continued collaboration among governments, health institutions, and media professionals. Dr. Kelej emphasized the foundation’s two-decade journey in transforming the patient care landscape through training over 2,200 doctors in more than 50 specialties across underserved regions.
The summit’s Chairman, Prof. Dr. Frank Staudt-Stradivarius Avaka, also delivered a powerful message during the opening session, highlighting the importance of local leadership and cross-border cooperation in driving meaningful change. He applauded the First Ladies for using their platforms to champion health, education, and dignity, especially for women and girls in vulnerable communities.
Back home in Sierra Leone, Jalloh’s participation in this global event is being hailed by media professionals and civil society actors as a milestone moment. It reflects not only his individual dedication but also the growing recognition of Sierra Leonean journalism as a force for development, advocacy, and global dialogue.
As the summit enters its final day, Mackie M. Jalloh remains at the heart of the action—covering keynote speeches, spotlighting personal stories of impact, and amplifying messages that matter. For a journalist who began his career with a passion to tell stories that drive change, this Dubai assignment is a clear signal that his mission is resonating far beyond national borders.
With his notebook, camera, and Pen, Mackie is capturing not just news, but history in motion. And as the world listens, Sierra Leone watches with pride.
