Merck Foundation Champions World Diabetes Day 2025
Merck Foundation, the charitable division of Germany’s Merck KGaA (visit www.Merck-Foundation.com), is commemorating World Diabetes Day 2025 through a collaborative effort with First Ladies from Africa and Asia, alongside national health ministries, professional medical associations, and academic institutions. This initiative spotlights their expansive Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program, designed to enhance access to care in underserved regions.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Foundation’s CEO, highlighted their year-round dedication: “Merck Foundation approaches World Diabetes Day as a daily mission, focusing on revolutionizing care for diabetes, endocrinology, hypertension, cardiology, and related preventive heart health services in Africa, Asia, and further afield. We envision a world where routine screenings, targeted therapies, and wellness practices are standard, achieved by equipping physicians and local groups with advanced education and hands-on expertise.”
She expressed particular pride in their alliances: “Collaborating with First Ladies across Africa and Asia, plus key stakeholders in health ministries, medical groups, and universities, we’ve awarded 925 educational grants to medical professionals from 52 nations. These include one-year postgraduate diplomas and two-year master’s programs in diabetes, endocrinology, preventive cardiology, clinical nutrition, obesity management, and weight control; one-year fellowships in diabetes and hypertension; and a specialized three-month master’s course in diabetes offered in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Such programs are cultivating a widespread cadre of experts, extending support far beyond urban hubs and national capitals.”
To date, Merck Foundation has extended over 2,400 scholarships to practitioners in 52 countries, spanning 44 essential yet under-resourced medical fields.
A testament to this impact comes from Dr. Life Zambezi, a Zimbabwean graduate of the program: “I’m deeply thankful for the postgraduate diploma in diabetes management, which deepened my expertise and channeled my dedication into real-world change. It inspired me to launch a dedicated diabetes clinic at our district hospital, easing burdens for countless patients. The insights from the course have strengthened my ability to support my community and advocate for balanced living.”
Dr. Kelej further elaborated on expanding reach: “Our grants target physicians not just in metropolitan areas but in isolated and marginalized communities, enabling them to develop specialized diabetes facilities or units in their facilities. This fosters equitable access to superior care while amplifying education on risk reduction, timely diagnosis, and optimal control strategies.”
World Health Organization data underscores the urgency: In 2021, approximately 24 million adults aged 20–79 in Africa had diabetes, a figure projected to surge 129% to 55 million by 2045. Alarmingly, the continent bears the heaviest burden of undetected cases, with over half (54%) of affected individuals oblivious to their condition.
Community Awareness Campaign
In response, Merck Foundation’s Community Awareness Campaign has rolled out targeted campaigns to boost public knowledge, encourage proactive screening, and advocate for better handling of diabetes and hypertension.
A creative highlight is Dr. Kelej’s original composition and performance of the song “No More Sugar,” featuring Ghanaian artist Cwesi Oteng. Stream it at: https://apo-opa.co/449ZmXs
Teaming up with First Ladies from Africa and Asia, the Foundation has unveiled engaging children’s storybooks and animated shorts—”Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”—to motivate families toward lower sugar intake, moderated salt use, regular exercise, nutritious eating, and tobacco avoidance.
“Instilling these practices can curb diabetes and hypertension, key precursors to severe health issues and cardiovascular problems, while guiding younger generations toward vitality,” Dr. Kelej noted. View the “Sugar Free Jude” animation: https://apo-opa.co/47FJUon View “Mark’s Pressure”: https://apo-opa.co/47IwkAJ
Additionally, the Foundation has debuted three multilingual tracks—”No More Diabetes, Sugar Free” (English), “Dites non au Diabète” (French), and “Chega de Diabete” (Portuguese)—plus remixed editions crafted by artists from Ghana, Mauritius, and Mozambique. Access the remix: https://apo-opa.co/4peEnLu
The Foundation’s flagship pan-African series, “Our Africa”—envisioned, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Dr. Kelej—spotlights African creatives and thought leaders to spotlight societal and wellness topics. Dedicated installments address diabetes education and lifestyle enhancement. Tune into the diabetes awareness episode: https://apo-opa.co/4nTLiZi Lifestyle promotion episode: https://apo-opa.co/3WWnARa
Full “Our Africa” catalog is accessible on Dr. Rasha Kelej’s platforms (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/48eu58j, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4pfuTjc, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/485lAvg, YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3JDuSGC) and Merck Foundation’s (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3WYhY97, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/47HcMwz, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/43v7uli, YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/47EBxJM).
Merck Foundation awards for media professionals, fashion creators, filmmakers, musicians, vocalists, and rising stars
Annually, alongside African and Asian First Ladies, Merck Foundation honors contributions via awards for media professionals, fashion creators, filmmakers, musicians, vocalists, and rising stars in these arenas—celebrating efforts to foster wellness and spotlight diabetes/hypertension prevention and screening.
Award Details for 2026:
- Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 – Diabetes & Hypertension: Journalists and media outlets are encouraged to submit compelling content that champions wellness routines and educates on averting and spotting diabetes and hypertension early. Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 – Diabetes & Hypertension: African filmmakers, film students, and young creators are called to produce feature or short films—dramas, documentaries, or hybrids—conveying persuasive narratives on healthy habits and the need for proactive diabetes/hypertension detection. Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 – Diabetes & Hypertension: Aspiring and established African designers and students should craft collections that embed powerful themes of lifestyle improvement and awareness for preventing and identifying diabetes and hypertension. Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 – Diabetes & Hypertension: African musicians and songwriters are invited to compose tracks that inspire healthier choices and highlight the value of early intervention for diabetes and hypertension. Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Submit applications: https://apo-opa.co/4r0MD3k Or email: [email protected]
