Berlin: Dr. Rasha Kelej and the First Ladies of Africa and Asia marked World Hypertension Day by launching a significant initiative aimed at building healthcare capacity in cardiovascular and diabetes care. The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, unveiled the Nationwide Diabetes and Hypertension Blue Points Program, which offers 997 specialized scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries.
According to African Press Organization, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Merck Foundation, First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the importance of expanding access to quality care in hypertension, diabetes, endocrinology, and cardiovascular preventive care. The scholarships include One-Year Online PG Diplomas and Two-Year Online Masters Degrees in various medical fields, as well as Clinical Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Diabetes Onsite Fellowship Programs.
Dr. H
azel W. Kariuki from Kenya, an alumnus of the Merck Foundation, shared her transformative journey, highlighting the program’s impact on her clinical skills and patient management practices. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to improved healthcare services and cardiovascular outcomes in her community.
The Merck Foundation has provided over 2600 scholarships in 44 medical specialties, addressing the high prevalence of hypertension in Africa, where approximately 27% of adults are affected. As part of their community awareness efforts, the foundation, in partnership with the First Ladies, launched children’s storybooks and animation films to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent hypertension and diabetes.
The foundation’s “Our Africa” TV program, conceptualized and hosted by Dr. Kelej, focuses on raising awareness about social and health issues, including hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, the Merck Foundation, together with African First Ladies, annually launches awards for media
, fashion designers, filmmakers, and musicians to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension.
Entries for the Merck Foundation’s Media Recognition, Film, Fashion, and Song Awards 2026 are open until October 30, 2026, encouraging participants to deliver impactful messages promoting health awareness.