Imagine a world where millions struggle silently with a condition that could be managed or even prevented, yet awareness lags behind— that's the harsh reality of diabetes today, and it's why initiatives like the Merck Foundation's efforts are not just timely, but absolutely essential. But here's where it gets controversial: is investing in scholarships and awareness campaigns enough to combat a global health crisis fueled by modern lifestyles, or are we missing deeper systemic changes? Stick around to explore how one foundation is making waves in 2025, and you might just rethink your own daily habits.
By ANI (https://www.lokmattimes.com/author/ani/) | Updated: November 15, 2025 11:15 IST2025-11-15T11:10:35+5:302025-11-15T11:15:03+5:30
BusinessWire India
Lusaka [Zambia] / Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 15: The Merck Foundation, which serves as the charitable branch of Merck KGaA Germany, is celebrating 'World Diabetes Day 2025' in collaboration with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, along with health ministries, medical associations, and educational institutions. Together, they are advancing their comprehensive Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, passionately stated, "At the Merck Foundation, we don't just observe World Diabetes Day once a year—we live it every single day by dedicating ourselves to revolutionizing care for diabetes, endocrinology, hypertension, cardiology, and preventive cardiovascular health (which are all interconnected issues) in Africa, Asia, and further afield. Our vision is to create a brighter tomorrow where spotting problems early, getting effective treatments, and adopting wholesome lifestyles are standard practices. We achieve this by equipping local healthcare professionals and their communities with valuable knowledge and advanced training."
She went on to proudly announce, "In close cooperation with our ambassadors—the First Ladies of Africa and Asia—and our partners including health ministries, medical societies, and academic bodies, we have distributed 925 scholarships to medical practitioners from 52 countries. These cover an online one-year postgraduate diploma and a two-year master's degree in fields like diabetes, endocrinology, cardiovascular prevention, cardiology, clinical nutrition, obesity, and weight management. Additionally, there's a one-year clinical fellowship for diabetes and hypertension, plus a unique three-month master's course in diabetes available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. And this is the part most people miss: these opportunities are cultivating a strong web of experts, extending support well beyond urban centers and national capitals."
In total, the Merck Foundation has awarded more than 2400 scholarships to healthcare workers from 52 countries across 44 vital and often overlooked medical disciplines.
Dr. Life Zambezi, a graduate of the Merck Foundation from Zimbabwe, shared her inspiring story: "I'm deeply thankful for the chance to pursue the postgraduate diploma in diabetes management. This program boosted my expertise and transformed my enthusiasm for diabetes treatment into real-world impact. For instance, it enabled me to set up a diabetes clinic at my local district hospital, providing comfort to countless patients who were previously underserved. The skills I acquired have also allowed me to better support my community and spread the word about the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as balanced eating and regular exercise."
Discussing the foundation's commitment to enhancing diabetes care, Dr. Rasha Kelej explained, "We're offering these scholarships to physicians not just in bustling capital cities, but in isolated and under-resourced regions too. This initiative strengthens their ability to set up diabetes centers or clinics right in their own hospitals, making high-quality care accessible to every community. It also fosters education on prevention, timely identification, and successful management—key steps that can prevent complications like heart disease."
As highlighted in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Diabetes Report, approximately 24 million adults between the ages of 20 and 79 in Africa were dealing with diabetes in 2021. Alarmingly, forecasts suggest this figure could surge by 129%, reaching 55 million by 2045. Moreover, Africa leads the world in undiagnosed cases, with 54% of affected adults unaware of their condition. To put this into perspective, imagine someone living with diabetes without knowing it—delaying diagnosis can lead to severe issues like vision loss or kidney problems, so early screening is crucial for everyone.
As part of their Community Awareness Program, the Merck Foundation has rolled out a variety of projects designed to boost knowledge and encourage proactive steps against diabetes and hypertension, including prevention, early detection, and better management.
Adding a creative touch, the Merck Foundation's CEO has crafted and performed an impactful tune called "No More Sugar," teaming up with Ghanaian artist Cwezi Oteng. You can listen to "No More Sugar" right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwIgv2bzs7c
Teaming up with First Ladies from Africa and Asia, the foundation has also produced children's storybooks and adapted animated films like "Sugar Free Jude" and "Mark's Pressure." These resources motivate communities to cut back on sugar, reduce salt, stay physically active, choose nutritious foods, and steer clear of tobacco. "By encouraging these behaviors, we can address diabetes and hypertension—major contributors to serious ailments like heart disease—and inspire the next generation to embrace healthier lives," Dr. Kelej added. For a fun example, think of "Sugar Free Jude" as a playful story that shows a character learning to enjoy fruits over sugary snacks, making healthy choices feel achievable for kids.
Check out the "Sugar Free Jude" animation here: https://youtu.be/iefwLSbOGT4
And watch "Mark's Pressure" here: https://youtu.be/zJylVgGbvtA
Furthermore, the foundation has unveiled three songs in different languages: 'NO More Diabetes, Sugar Free' in English, 'Dites non au Diabète' in French, and 'Chega de Diabete' in Portuguese. They've even released remixed versions of these, performed by talented singers from Ghana, Mauritius, and Mozambique.
Here's the link to the remix song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Witk3k9ykE
The Merck Foundation's pan-African TV series "Our Africa," conceived, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Dr. Rasha Kelej herself, showcases African fashion designers, musicians, and experts from diverse fields. Its goal is to highlight social and health matters, with dedicated segments on diabetes awareness and promoting wellness.
View the episode on diabetes awareness here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1S1Dlugkc
And the one on healthy living here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6_B8EKNks
All episodes of "Our Africa" can be found on the social media accounts of Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) and the Merck Foundation (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube).
Each year, the Merck Foundation, in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies, hosts awards for media professionals, fashion creators, filmmakers, musicians, singers, and up-and-coming talents in these areas. The aim is to champion healthy living and increase consciousness about preventing and spotting diabetes and hypertension early.
Here are the details of the awards:
- Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 "Diabetes & Hypertension": Journalists are encouraged to submit their pieces that convey powerful messages promoting well-being and educating on avoiding and detecting diabetes and hypertension early.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.
- Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 "Diabetes & Hypertension": African filmmakers, film school students, or emerging talents are welcome to produce and share feature films, shorts, dramas, documentaries, or docudramas that powerfully advocate for healthy habits and awareness of diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.
- Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 "Diabetes & Hypertension": African fashion students and designers can submit designs that creatively promote lifestyle improvements and knowledge about preventing and identifying diabetes and hypertension promptly.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.
- Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 "Diabetes & Hypertension": African singers and music artists are invited to compose and share tracks that inspire healthier choices and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2026.
Apply via this link: https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form
Entries can also be emailed to: submit@merck-foundation.com
Don't forget to download the Merck Foundation App using the link below:
https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection
Join the conversation on our social media platforms and share your thoughts:
Facebook: Merck Foundation
X: @MerckFoundation
YouTube: MerckFoundation
Instagram: Merck Foundation
Threads: Merck Foundation
Flickr: Merck Foundation
Website: www.merckfoundation.com
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But here's a thought-provoking question to ponder: With diabetes cases projected to skyrocket in Africa, do you believe scholarships and creative campaigns like songs and films are the best way to tackle this epidemic, or should governments prioritize stricter food industry regulations to curb sugary products? Is there a controversial angle here, like blaming individual lifestyles versus systemic issues in healthcare access? Share your views in the comments—do you agree with this approach, or would you advocate for something different? Let's discuss!
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