Dr. Rasha Kelej and African & Asian First Ladies Strengthen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Care with 997 Specialized Scholarships on World Hypertension Day
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, commemorated World Hypertension Day 2026 in collaboration with First Ladies of Africa and Asia, alongside various health ministries, medical societies, and academic institutions. This initiative is part of the Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program aimed at enhancing healthcare access and education.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
On this significant day, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the organization’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare in hypertension, diabetes, endocrinology, and cardiovascular preventive care. The foundation has successfully awarded nearly 1,000 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries, covering one-year online postgraduate diplomas and two-year online master’s degrees in critical areas such as diabetes and cardiovascular care.
These scholarships are designed to support healthcare professionals from various regions, not just urban centers, thereby enhancing the overall healthcare capacity and access to essential services for hypertension and diabetes across the nations involved.
Impact of Scholarships on Healthcare Providers
Merck Foundation has awarded over 2,600 scholarships across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Dr. Hazel W. Kariuki, a Merck Foundation alumnus from Kenya, described her experience as transformative. She noted that the training significantly bolstered her clinical knowledge and practical skills in managing cardiovascular and diabetes care. This opportunity has enabled her to improve patient management practices and contribute more effectively to healthcare services in her community.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the African region has the highest prevalence of hypertension, affecting approximately 27% of adults. This statistic underscores the importance of the foundation’s initiatives in addressing these pressing health issues.
Community Awareness Initiatives
In addition to educational programs, Merck Foundation has partnered with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia to launch children’s storybooks titled “Mark’s Pressure” and “Sugar Free Jude.” These books aim to raise awareness about hypertension and diabetes while promoting healthier lifestyle choices among families. The foundation has also developed animated films based on these storybooks to further engage younger audiences.
Dr. Kelej highlighted the importance of educating children and youth about healthy habits, such as reducing salt and sugar intake, exercising regularly, and maintaining balanced diets. She stated that small changes today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.
Media and Creative Awards
Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, has announced several annual awards aimed at recognizing excellence in media, fashion design, filmmaking, and music. These awards are intended to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026: Media representatives are invited to submit work that effectively communicates messages promoting healthy lifestyles and awareness about diabetes and hypertension. The submission deadline is October 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026: African filmmakers, students, and young talents are encouraged to create films—whether drama, documentary, or docudrama—that deliver impactful messages about health awareness. The submission deadline is also October 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026: Fashion students and designers are invited to share designs that convey strong messages about healthy living, with a submission deadline of October 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Song Awards 2025: Singers and musical artists are invited to create songs that promote health awareness, with submissions due by October 30, 2026.
Entries for all awards should be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com.
Broadcast and Social Media Engagement
The foundation’s pan-African TV program, “Our Africa,” conceptualized and co-hosted by Dr. Rasha Kelej, features episodes dedicated to raising awareness about hypertension, diabetes, and healthy lifestyles. The program has been broadcast across national and prime TV stations in several African countries, including Burundi, Botswana, Ghana, and Kenya.
The episodes are also available on various social media platforms, allowing for broader engagement and outreach.
For more information, visit Merck Foundation.
Contact Information:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613 / +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
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Published on 2026-05-17 13:09:00 • By the Editorial Desk
