Lusaka (Zambia) / New Delhi, May 17 : Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chairperson and CEO of the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, joined hands with the President of Tanzania and First Ladies from Africa and Asia to mark World Hypertension Day 2025. The event reaffirmed Merck Foundation’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, particularly in the areas of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular care, through its flagship initiative – the Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Kelej emphasized Merck Foundation’s mission to provide equitable access to quality healthcare. “We observe World Hypertension Day by expanding access to preventive and specialized care in hypertension, diabetes, endocrinology, and cardiovascular health. These are interrelated health issues that require an integrated approach,” she stated.
To date, the Foundation, in collaboration with First Ladies of Africa, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and academic institutions, has awarded more than 860 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries. These scholarships cover One-Year Online PG Diplomas, Two-Year Master’s Degrees, and clinical fellowships in fields such as Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Obesity & Weight Management, and more. Programs are offered in multiple languages and cater not only to urban doctors but also to those from rural and underserved regions, helping bridge geographic gaps in healthcare capacity.
In total, Merck Foundation has provided over 2,270 scholarships in 44 critical and underserved specialties, making it one of the most impactful capacity-building initiatives across Africa and beyond.
Dr. Dzifa Ahadzi, a Merck Foundation alumnus from Ghana, shared her experience:
“After completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiology, I’m now pursuing an MSc in the same field. This has allowed me to implement advanced clinical practices and establish a dedicated Heart Failure Clinic in my hospital—serving diverse patients including postpartum cardiomyopathy and cardio-oncology cases.”
Recognizing the World Health Organization’s data that highlights Africa as the region with the highest prevalence of hypertension (affecting nearly 27% of adults), Merck Foundation has also launched community awareness campaigns. These aim to promote healthy lifestyles, early detection, and management of hypertension and diabetes through innovative education tools.
Educational and Media Initiatives
As part of its public engagement, the Foundation released a storybook and animated film titled “Mark’s Pressure”, aimed at educating children and youth on the importance of health-conscious habits—such as reducing salt and sugar, eating balanced meals, exercising, and avoiding smoking.
📺 Watch the film here: YouTube – Mark’s Pressure
Additionally, the Foundation runs the pan-African TV show “Our Africa”, created and co-hosted by Dr. Kelej. The program highlights public health issues including diabetes, and encourages healthy living.
📺 Watch the episodes:
The show airs on national TV stations across Burundi, Botswana, Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, and is also available on social media platforms.
2025 Awards for Creative Advocacy
To further promote public health awareness, Merck Foundation has announced the 2025 Edition of its Awards Programs, inviting participation from across Africa:
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Media Recognition Awards 2025 – For journalists producing impactful stories on diabetes and hypertension.
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Film Awards 2025 – For filmmakers creating documentaries or short films to raise awareness.
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Fashion Awards 2025 – For designers who incorporate health messages into their creations.
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Song Awards 2025 – For musical artists composing songs that promote healthy living.
🕒 Deadline for all submissions: October 30, 2025
📧 Submit entries via email: [email protected]
Stay Connected
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🔗 Website: www.merck-foundation.com
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