Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the 100 Most Influential African Women (2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022) emphasised, “At Merck Foundation, we mark ‘World Diabetes Day’ in a very constructive and unique way, that is by providing more than 720 scholarships for medical postgraduates from 43 countries of one-year diploma and two-year Master Degree programs in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, as well as a ‘Master course in the Clinical Management of Diabetes’ in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Not only this but by creating song remix called “No extra Diabetes” by singers and musicians from Ghana, Mauritius and Mozambique and a children storybook called “Sugar Free” in three languages English, French and Portuguese to raise awareness and create a culture shift about Diabetes prevention and early detection across Africa, this song and story books are gifts from Merck Foundation to our communities and partners to mark the “World Diabetes Day” and additionally to make use of each day.”
“I will work closely with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Media outlets and representative and artists to ensure that this song and storybook are distributed everywhere during the Diabetes Day, I personally contemplate this track because the official track of our Diabetes Day celebration and I want that each one our companions do the identical,” added Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, throughout her speech.
“Moreover, our strong platform of Merck Foundation Alumni, who upon completion of their respective courses, have established or will be able to establish diabetes clinics in their Health Centers or Hospitals with the aim of preventing and managing the condition in their respective communities, this has created a huge impact as there are from different provinces in each country which makes the impact nationwide and not only within the capitals, I am proud of this outstanding milestone,” emphasised Dr. Kelej.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), round 45 million adults (20-79) in the African Region have excessive danger of creating kind 2 diabetes. These figures are estimated to succeed in 110 million by 2045. Moreover, Africa has the very best share of undiagnosed individuals – 70% of adults dwelling with diabetes have no idea they’ve it.
“Merck Foundation in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies has launched a new children storybook– ‘Sugar Free’ in three languages- English, French and Portuguese. Through our new storybook, we want to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection, prevention, and management of Diabetes, from a young age, to remind all of you that together we can fight diabetes every day and that health is our only wealth,” mentioned Dr. Kelej.
Merck Foundation’s “Sugar Free” storybooks educate in regards to the early indicators and signs of Diabetes equivalent to frequent urination, elevated thirst, feeling drained and hungry, imaginative and prescient issues, gradual wound therapeutic, and yeast infections; (*43*)and that in case one experiences any of those signs, one should seek the advice of a physician and get examined. It additionally conveys that Diabetes Management is a way of life change, these dwelling with this situation need to eat wholesome, train frequently, quit smoking, and restrict alcohol, sugar and salt consumption.
Merck Foundation has additionally launched three Songs in three languages named ‘NO more Diabetes, Sugar Free’ in English, ‘Dites non au Diabète’ in French and ‘Chega de Diabete’ in Portuguese. And just lately has launched the remix of the three languages.
Listen to the remix diabetes track right here: https://youtu.be/1Witk3k9ykE
These songs have been sung by Cwezi from Ghana for English Version, Laura Beg from Mauritius for the French Version, and Blaze from Mozambique for the Portuguese Version. The songs discuss selling a wholesome way of life and elevating consciousness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes. “These songs are gift from Merck Foundation to our communities to mark the “World Diabetes Day” and also to use every day,” added Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Click right here to hearken to ‘NO More Diabetes, Sugar Free’ English Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC6VpDVoE-k
Click right here to hearken to ‘Dites non au Diabète’ French Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXvL88X62DQ
Click right here to hearken to ‘Chega de Diabete’ Portuguese Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMJO4JHTPZM
Moreover, Merck Foundation along with African First Ladies, has additionally launched annual Awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians/ Singers, and new potential skills in these fields from African nations to Promote a wholesome way of life and increase consciousness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
As part of their “Blue Point Diabetes & Hypertension Points Program” Merck Foundation gives One-Year Postgraduate Diploma and Two-year grasp diploma in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Preventative Cardiovascular Medicines from UK University. Merck Foundation additionally gives scholarships for a ‘Master course in the Clinical Management of Diabetes’ in 4 languages- English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, endorsed by Diabetes UK to enhance entry to high quality and equitable diabetes care for African nations and Latin American nations.
So far, Merck Foundation has already enrolled greater than 720 candidates for these programs from 43 Countries together with Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Bobby Kgosiemang, Merck Foundation Alumni from Botswana who accomplished MSc in Diabetes says, “I am grateful to Merck Foundation for providing me a very unique opportunity to be a part of this very beneficial course. It has helped me to advance my clinical knowledge and enabled me to serve the people of my country better, and also advocate for increased prevention and early detection.”
Merck Foundation continues to rework affected person care and construct healthcare capability in African, Asian, and Latin American nations, by offering greater than 1470 scholarships have been offered to docs from 50 nations in 32 essential and underserved specialties equivalent to Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Pediatric Emergency, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, General Surgery and many extra.
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