We mark World Heart Day every day through our continuous efforts to strengthen healthcare capacity and expand access to quality and equitable care in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Preventive, Hypertension, and Diabetes, across 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 provided 925 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries of Online One-year PG Diploma and Two-year Master degree in Cardiovascular Preventive, Cardiology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Clinical Nutrition and Obesity & Weight Management; One Year clinical Fellowship program for Diabetes and Hypertension; and also a special 3-month Diabetes Mastercourse in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. These scholarships are helping to build a robust network of specialists, reaching beyond major cities and capitals. Merck Foundation has in total provided more than 2400 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
I am also excited to share ‘Mark’s Pressure’ and ‘Sugar Free Jude’, the first animation films in Africa designed to raise awareness about hypertension, diabetes, and the importance of healthy lifestyles among children and youth across the continent and beyond. These films are adaptations of our children’s storybooks and aim to inspire communities to reduce sugar and salt intake, exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking. By promoting these habits, we can tackle diabetes and hypertension which are the major risk factors for serious complications and heart disease and empower future generations to lead healthier lives.
Watch the “Mark’s Pressure” Animation film here:
Watch the “Sugar Free Jude” Animation film here:
Moreover, Merck Foundation together with African and Asian 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. I warmly invite all to join the 2025 Awards—Media Recognition, Film, Fashion, and Song—with submissions closing on 30th October 2025. Entries for all the awards are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.
Over the past 12 years, we are committed to improving the lives of people. In this spirit, we will continue our efforts until we significantly transform patient care landscape in underserved and vulnerable populations.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
Watch the Episode on promoting Healthy Lifestyle here:
Watch the Episode on Diabetes Awareness here:
