Dr. Rasha Kelej and African and Asian First Ladies Mark World Heart Day With 950-Plus Specialized Scholarships
Merck Foundation marks World Heart Day by building cardiovascular preventive, cardiology, diabetes care and endocrinology capacity through more than 950 specialized scholarships across 52 countries.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Merck Foundation, the German not-for-profit organisation, is marking World Heart Day 2026 together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia and partners including ministries of health, medical societies and academia through its Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, said the organisation is marking World Heart Day by building cardiovascular and diabetes care capacity across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“At Merck Foundation we mark ‘World Heart Day’ by building cardiovascular and diabetes care capacity in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“I am proud to share that together with our Ambassadors, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and partners including Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, Merck Foundation has provided 956 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, of One-Year Online PG Diplomas and Two-Year Online Master’s Degrees in Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive Care, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Obesity & Weight Management, as well as One-Year Clinical Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Diabetes Onsite Fellowship Programs.”
Bringing Specialist Care Closer to Communities
Kelej said Merck Foundation remains committed to bringing specialist healthcare capacity closer to the communities that need it, particularly outside major capital cities.
“We are committed to bringing specialized healthcare capacity closer to the communities that need it. By providing scholarships for healthcare providers from different parts of countries, beyond the major capital cities, we are helping create local experts who can provide specialized cardiovascular and diabetes care and also contribute to prevention, early detection, and greater health awareness in their communities.”
“This is how we build sustainable healthcare capacity: by empowering healthcare providers to become local experts and a lasting resource for their communities.”
In total, Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,750 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Dr. Husein Jivanji, a Merck Foundation alumnus from Kenya, said the opportunity to pursue a postgraduate diploma in cardiovascular preventive medicine strengthened his clinical knowledge and practical skills.
“I am very thankful to Merck Foundation for providing me with the opportunity to pursue a PG Diploma in Cardiovascular Preventive Medicine. The training program has significantly strengthened my clinical knowledge and practical skills. With my increased knowledge and skills, I have started a specialized cardiology clinic in the public sector. I have been able to enhance patient management practices and contribute more effectively to improving healthcare services in my community.”
Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension in Africa
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases have emerged as the leading cause of noncommunicable disease deaths in the African region, with more than 1 million cardiovascular deaths estimated in 2019.
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.
To raise awareness, Merck Foundation has also launched several community awareness programmes in partnership with First Ladies of Africa and Asia, focusing on the prevention and early detection of hypertension and diabetes, which are closely linked, while promoting healthier lifestyles within communities.
Teaching Healthy Habits From an Early Age
Merck Foundation, together with First Ladies, has launched the children’s storybooks Mark’s Pressure and Sugar Free Jude, aimed at encouraging children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles and helping to prevent hypertension, diabetes and related complications.
The foundation has also adapted the storybooks into animated films.
“Healthy habits are easiest to build from an early age. Therefore, through our storybooks and animation films, we are educating children and young people about the importance of making healthy choices, including reducing salt and sugar intake, exercising regularly, eating balanced meals and avoiding smoking. By helping children develop healthy habits today, we can empower them to lead healthier lives tomorrow,” Kelej said.
- Watch the Mark’s Pressure animation film on YouTube.
- Watch the Sugar Free Jude animation film on YouTube.
‘Our Africa’ Takes Health Awareness to Television
Merck Foundation’s pan-African TV programme Our Africa is conceptualised, produced, directed and co-hosted by Kelej.
Through conversations with African fashion designers, singers and experts from different fields, the programme raises awareness of social and health issues, with episodes dedicated to diabetes and promoting healthier lifestyles.
- Watch Our Africa by Merck Foundation — Episode 1: Diabetes Awareness on YouTube.
- Watch Our Africa by Merck Foundation — Episode 4: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle on YouTube.
Our Africa is currently broadcast on KTN in Kenya and TV3 Ghana and has also aired on national and major television stations in Burundi, Botswana, The Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia.
The programme is also available through the social media pages of Dr. Rasha Kelej on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube, as well as Merck Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Merck Foundation Awards Focus on Diabetes and Hypertension
Merck Foundation, together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia, annually launches awards recognising media professionals, filmmakers, fashion designers, singers, musicians and emerging talent.
The awards aim to promote healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 — Diabetes & Hypertension
Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages promoting healthier lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Submission deadline: Oct. 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 — Diabetes & Hypertension
Filmmakers, students at filmmaking training institutions and young talent are invited to create and share long or short films, including dramas, documentaries or docudramas, carrying strong and influential messages promoting healthier lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Submission deadline: Oct. 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 — Diabetes & Hypertension
Students and designers are invited to create and share designs carrying strong and influential messages promoting healthier lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Submission deadline: Oct. 30, 2026.
Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 — Diabetes & Hypertension
Singers and musical artists are invited to create and share a song aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Submission deadline: Oct. 30, 2026.
Applications can be submitted through the Merck Foundation Awards Online Application Form.
Entries for all awards can also be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com.
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About Merck Foundation
Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is a German not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives.
The foundation focuses on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions, building healthcare, scientific research and media capacity, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girls’ education.
Merck Foundation works across more than 50 countries with First Ladies, their foundations, ministries and other key stakeholders through complementary roles in advocacy, local government coordination, healthcare and media capacity building, girls’ education and community awareness initiatives.
It is this coordinated ecosystem of partnerships — with distinct responsibilities and a shared vision — that enables Merck Foundation to build local capacity, create sustainable impact and contribute to long-term transformation in healthcare and society.
Through its various programmes and initiatives, Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,750 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 critical and underserved specialties, awarded more than 1,570 scholarships to underprivileged African schoolgirls across 21 countries, trained more than 4,000 media professionals, recognised 980 award winners and reached more than 9 million followers across 15 social media channels, driving lasting impact in healthcare, education and awareness across Africa and Asia.
Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments, to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation states that it remains strictly neutral in political matters.
It does not engage in or support political activities, elections or regimes, focusing solely on its stated mission to improve people’s lives and well-being while maintaining a nonpolitical position.
All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation website.
Source: Merck Foundation