{"id":8802,"date":"2026-04-08T14:14:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T10:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8802"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:39:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T10:39:36","slug":"message-from-senator-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-marking-world-hypertension-day-2025-by-transforming-hypertension-cardiovascular-and-diabetes-care-through-scholars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8802","title":{"rendered":"Message from Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Marking \u2018World Hypertension Day\u2019 2025 by Transforming Hypertension, Cardiovascular, and Diabetes Care through Scholarships and Community Awareness Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main_Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>At Merck Foundation we observe\u00a0<strong>\u201cWorld Hypertension Day\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiovascular preventive care, which are all co-related, by providing scholarships for young doctors across Africa and beyond.\u00a0<strong>Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia<\/strong>, we have till today provided more than\u00a0<strong>860 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries,<\/strong>\u00a0of One-Year Online PG Diplomas and Two-Year Online Master\u2019s Degrees in Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Obesity &amp; Weight Management, as well as One-Year Clinical Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Diabetes Onsite Fellowship Programs in India, a special 3-month Diabetes Mastercourse in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish language. What is special about these scholarships is that they have been provided not only to doctors from capital cities, but also to those from across the country \u2014 ensuring wider geographic coverage of healthcare capacity. In total, we have provided more than\u00a0<strong>2270 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-4.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>In partnership with African First Ladies, we have released a children\u2019s storybook and its adapted animation film&nbsp;<strong>\u201cMark\u2019s Pressure\u201d<\/strong>. I believe early education is key to building a healthier community. Through our storybook and animation film&nbsp;<strong>\u201cMark\u2019s Pressure\u201d<\/strong>, we aim to instill healthy habits in children and youth \u2014 like reducing salt and sugar, eating well, exercising, and avoiding smoking. I believe that this is the only way to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes, which are major risk factors for many serious complications and illnesses.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch the&nbsp;\u201cMark\u2019s Pressure\u201d&nbsp;Animation Film here:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Mark&#039;s Pressure-Merck Foundation Animation film promoting early detection&amp;prevention of Hypertension\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zJylVgGbvtA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1684168731_f931aa7dca64ced2a216.pdf\">here<\/a>\u00a0to read\u00a0\u201cMark\u2019s Pressure\u201d\u00a0storybook:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"619\" height=\"867\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Storybook.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8805\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Storybook.jpg 619w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Storybook-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Storybook-600x840.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><\/figure><p>I am thrilled to announce the&nbsp;<strong>Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Awards 2025 \u201cDiabetes &amp; Hypertension\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<em><strong>Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and Musicians\/Singers<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;from African countries. These awards aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension. I invite all talented individuals to submit their entries to&nbsp;<strong>submit@merck-foundation.com<\/strong>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<strong>30th October 2025.<\/strong><\/p><p>We will continue to leverage education, media, and creative arts to drive positive transformations in healthcare and community awareness, ensuring a healthier future for all.<\/p><p><strong>Kind Regards,<br>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d campaign<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-5.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8807\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary-Inaugural-52.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-7.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-with-The-First-Lady-of-Burundi-and-erck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Burundi4.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-8.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-1024x726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-1536x1089.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8-600x425.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zambia-with-merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zambia8.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-and-The-First-Lady-of-Zimbabwe-with-Merck-Foundation-Alumni-from-Zimbabwe8.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-CEO-marks-World-Hypertension-Day-2025-9.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-1024x436.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-1024x436.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-768x327.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-1536x654.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27-600x255.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-27.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure 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Hypertension, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiovascular preventive care, which are all co-related, by providing scholarships for young doctors across Africa and beyond.\u00a0Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we 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