ACCRA, Ghana – In a remarkable milestone for global healthcare, the Merck Foundation World Heart Day 2025 celebrations have highlighted the empowerment of medical professionals across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Partnering with African and Asian First Ladies, Ministries of Health, and medical societies, the foundation awarded 925 specialized scholarships to doctors in critical fields including Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity & Weight Management.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, emphasized the significance of these initiatives, saying, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Heart Day 2025 every day through our continuous efforts to strengthen healthcare capacity and expand access to quality and equitable care in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Preventive, Hypertension, and Diabetes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.”
The scholarships include one-year Post-Graduate Diplomas, two-year Master’s Degrees, and clinical fellowship programs for Diabetes and Hypertension.
The programs aim to build a network of specialists reaching beyond major cities to underserved regions.
With these efforts, Merck Foundation has now provided over 2,400 scholarships in 44 critical medical specialties to doctors from 52 countries.
Dr. Nakigunda Kiroga, a Merck Foundation alumnus from Tanzania, praised the initiative:
“The training program strengthened my confidence in assessing cardiovascular risks and implementing evidence-based interventions. It also equipped me to educate patients effectively on lifestyle changes that improve long-term health outcomes.”
In addition to medical scholarships, the foundation launched community awareness initiatives aligned with Merck Foundation World Heart Day 2025.
Storybooks and animated films, “Mark’s Pressure” and “Sugar Free Jude,” were released to educate children and youth on early detection and prevention of hypertension and diabetes, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Kelej explained, “These films are designed to inspire communities to reduce sugar and salt intake, exercise regularly, and adopt nutritious diets, addressing the root causes of cardiovascular disease.”
Cardiovascular diseases remain a major public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where over one million lives are lost annually.
High blood pressure accounts for more than half of all cardiovascular-related deaths on the continent, underlining the urgency of preventive programs and awareness campaigns.
Merck Foundation’s initiatives also extend to media and creative sectors.
The foundation’s Awards for Media, Film, Fashion, and Music aim to leverage storytelling, visual arts, and music to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension. Submission deadlines for all awards are October 30, 2025.
Furthermore, the foundation’s pan-African TV program, Our Africa, co-hosted by Dr. Kelej, continues to spotlight social and health issues, featuring episodes dedicated to diabetes awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The program reaches millions via social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
The combined efforts of the foundation, First Ladies of Africa and Asia, medical societies, and academia during Merck Foundation World Heart Day 2025 demonstrate a robust commitment to transforming healthcare systems, empowering doctors, and educating communities to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
For more information and to access educational resources, visit Merck Foundation.
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