Port Louis – The Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health and Medical Societies is marking “World Heart Day” by providing scholarships to doctors.
These scholarships have been provided by Merck Foundation to doctors from 52 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The other scholarships are for 44 critical and underserved medical specialties including oncology, sexual and reproductive care, acute medicine, respiratory medicine, embryology and fertility specialty, gastroenterology, dermatology, psychiatry, emergency and resuscitation medicine, critical care, paediatric emergency medicine, neonatal medicine, advanced surgical practice, general surgery, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases, internal medicine, and trauma and orthopaedics.
Senator Dr Rasha Kelej with Merck Foundation Oncology Alumni 
Merck Foundation CEO with The First Lady of Burundi and Merck Foundation Alumni from Burundi (Source: Merck Foundation 
Merk Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee Meeting 
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and HON’BLE KAILASH KUMAR JAGUTPAL, Minister of Health of Mauritius 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with The First Ladies of Africa 
Merck Foundation CEO with Merck Foundation Alumni from Zambia 
Merck Foundation CEO and The First Lady of Zimbabwe with Merck Foundation Alumni from Zimbabwe 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with The First Lady of DRC and Merck Foundation Alumni from DRC 
Merck Foundation CEO and The First Lady of Zambia with Merck Foundation Alumni from Zambia
The Merck Foundation has also released the First Animation films “Mark’s Pressure”, and “Sugar Free Jude”, which are adapted from their children’s storybooks to raise awareness about early detection and prevention of hypertension and diabetes (which are co-related) and to promote a healthy lifestyle, among children and youth in Africa and beyond.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Heart Day 2024” in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies, ministries of health, medical societies, and academia, through their nationwide diabetes and hypertension blue points programme.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej the CEO of Merck Foundation stated: “We mark World Heart Day 2024 through our daily efforts in building healthcare capacity and improving access to quality and equitable cardiovascular preventative care, cardiology, hypertension, and diabetes, which are all correlated, in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“Together with our ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like ministries of health, medical societies, and academia, we have till today provided more than 830 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries.”
Dr. Kelej said the scholarships include a one-year PG Diploma and a two-year Master’s degree in preventative cardiovascular, cardiology, diabetes, endocrinology, obesity, and weight management, as well as a special three-month diabetes master course in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
“This is significantly contributing to improving access to cardiovascular and diabetes care which are correlated,” said Dr. Kelej.
“These scholarships have been awarded to young doctors to create a strong network of experts across the countries, extending beyond just the capitals and major cities.
“I take great pride in this remarkable achievement; this is how we celebrate World Heart Day at Merck Foundation every day.”
Merck Foundation has in total provided more than 2 080 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Dr.Kelej added: “Over the past 12 years, we have been committed to improving the lives of people.
“In this spirit, we will continue our efforts until we significantly transform the patient care landscape in underserved and vulnerable populations”.
Dr. Hazel Kariuki, a Merck Foundation Alumnus from Kenya said: “I would like to extend my gratitude to Merck Foundation for giving me the opportunity to pursue and complete my MSc in preventative cardiovascular medicine.
“I now feel confident in assessing my patients’ cardiovascular risk profiles and implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce those risks.
“Additionally, I am better equipped to educate and communicate with my patients about their treatment plans and the lifestyle changes that will benefit them the most”.
According to the World Heart Federation, Africa, with over one billion people, is a significant contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
The Merck Foundation has launched various initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting prevention.
In partnership with African First Ladies, Merck Foundation has released children’s storybooks and adapted animation films “Mark’s Pressure” and “Sugar Free Jude”.
“I am very happy to bring to you ‘Mark’s Pressure’ and ‘Sugar Free Jude’ the first animation films in Africa to raise awareness about hypertension, and diabetes to promote a healthy lifestyle among children and youth in Africa and beyond.
These animated films are adaptations of our children’s storybooks.
Through our new animation films, we want to encourage our communities to stop sugar, limit salt intake, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and never smoke, this is the only way to eradicate diabetes and hypertension, which are predominant risk factors for the development of several serious complications and heart diseases.
“These animation films are Merck Foundation’s gifts to our communities and partners to mark World Heart Day,” said Dr. Kelej.
“I want to remind everyone that good health is our greatest treasure.”
Watch the “Mark’s Pressure” Animation movie here: https://apo-opa.co/4ennvNy
Watch the “Sugar Free Jude” Animation film here: https://apo-opa.co/4etoPyA
Merck Foundation’s pan-African TV program “Our Africa”, conceptualised, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator Dr. Kelej features African fashion designers, singers, and prominent experts from various domains to raise awareness about social and health issues.
It has episodes dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Watch the Episode on Promoting Healthy Lifestyle here: https://apo-opa.co/4etyNjh
Watch the Episode on Diabetes Awareness here: https://apo-opa.co/4dlH1so
The TV program is currently broadcasted on KTV in Kenya, every Saturday at 5:00 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.
“Our Africa” is also available on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4drporf), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4dqK82c), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4eK9nxG) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZDXHrY) and Merck Foundation (Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4epbK9c), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4du7unN), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4ezBgbE) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3BA6elx).
In addition, Merck Foundation together with African First Ladies, annually launches awards for media, fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians, singers, and emerging talents from these fields to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Details of the awards:
1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2024 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.
2. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2024 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.
3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2024 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.
4. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2024 “diabetes and hypertension”: All African singers and musical artists are invited to create and share a song to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.
Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to: submit@merck-foundation.com
