By Bonface Mulyungi
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks ‘World Hypertension Day 2026’ together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and their partners Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia, through their Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation shared, “At Merck Foundation we mark “World Hypertension Day” by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiovascular Preventive Care.
Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we have provided nearly 1,000 Scholarships for young 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.
A key strength of these scholarships is that they support doctors not only from capital cities but from across the country, helping expand healthcare capacity and improve access to hypertension and diabetes care nationwide.”
Merck Foundation has in total provided more than 2600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Dr. Dr. Hazel W. Kariuki, Merck Foundation Alumnus from Kenya shares, “I received the Merck Foundation Scholarship and I would describe my journey as transformative. The training program has significantly strengthened my clinical knowledge and practical skills in cardiovascular and diabetes care. Through this opportunity, I have been able to enhance patient management practices and contribute more effectively to improving healthcare services in my community. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to impact and to make a meaningful contribution to cardiovascular outcomes in my country.”
Merck Foundation scholarships are of great value, given that as per WHO data, the African region has the highest prevalence of hypertension, with approximately 27% of adults affected.
As part of their community awareness programs, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa and Asia has also launched children’s storybooks ‘Mark’s Pressure’ and ‘Sugar free Jude’ to raise awareness about hypertension and diabetes respectively. Both books also encourage children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles because this is the most effective way to prevent hypertension, diabetes and many related complications.
Merck Foundation has also adapted storybooks to develop interesting animation films.
“Our storybooks and animation films are aimed at educating children and youth about the importance of healthy habits such as reducing salt and sugar intake, exercising regularly, eating balanced meals and avoiding smoking. Small changes today can lead to a healthier tomorrow” emphasized Dr. Kelej.
