Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, has emphasized the organization's commitment to building cardiovascular and diabetes care capacity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. On World Heart Day 2026, Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia, launched their Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program. This initiative aims to provide specialized healthcare capacity to communities in need.
Merck Foundation has provided 956 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, offering One-Year Online PG Diplomas and Two-Year Online Master’s Degrees in Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive Care, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Obesity & Weight Management. Additionally, the organization has provided One-Year Clinical Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Diabetes Onsite Fellowship Programs. These scholarships enable healthcare providers to become local experts in cardiovascular and diabetes care, contributing to prevention, early detection, and greater health awareness in their communities.
The need for such initiatives is underscored by the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports that cardiovascular diseases have emerged as the leading cause of NCD deaths in the African Region, with over 1 million cardiovascular deaths estimated in 2019. Furthermore, hypertension remains a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with fewer than one-third of people living with hypertension receiving treatment and only about 12% having their condition under control.
Dr. Husein Jivanji, a Merck Foundation Alumnus from Kenya, has benefited from the organization's scholarship program, pursuing a PG Diploma in Cardiovascular Preventive Medicine. The training program has significantly strengthened his clinical knowledge and practical skills, enabling him to start a specialized cardiology clinic in the public sector. His experience demonstrates the positive impact of Merck Foundation's initiatives on healthcare services in local communities.
To raise awareness about hypertension and diabetes, Merck Foundation has launched several community awareness programs in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa and Asia. These programs focus on prevention and early detection of hypertension and diabetes, promoting healthy lifestyles among communities. The organization has also developed children's storybooks, 'Mark’s Pressure' and 'Sugar free Jude', to encourage children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles.
The storybooks have been adapted into engaging animation films, aiming to educate children and young people about the importance of making healthy choices. By promoting healthy habits from an early age, Merck Foundation seeks to empower children to lead healthier lives and prevent hypertension, diabetes, and related complications. Dr. Kelej emphasizes that healthy habits are easiest to build from an early age, and Merck Foundation's initiatives aim to support this goal.
In total, Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,750 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialities. The organization's efforts demonstrate a commitment to building sustainable healthcare capacity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare services and outcomes in these regions.
Key points
- Merck Foundation has provided 956 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries to build cardiovascular and diabetes care capacity.
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of NCD deaths in the African Region, with over 1 million cardiovascular deaths estimated in 2019.
- Merck Foundation's community awareness programs focus on prevention and early detection of hypertension and diabetes, promoting healthy lifestyles among communities.
