| Merck Foundation to provide One and two Year on-line Post-graduate Diabetes Diploma and Masters from South Wales University for more than 180 doctors from 34 countries in Africa and Asia |
| The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marked ‘World Diabetes Day 2019’ by building diabetes care capacity in Africa and Asia.
Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation explained, “We strongly believe that starting the “Merck Nationwide Diabetes Blue Points Project” is the right strategy to ensure that every provenance in Africa will have the diabetes care they deserve and not only the capital or main cities. In partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, we are trying to provide one-year online diploma for doctors from different provinces, counties or districts of respective countries, ensuring geographical coverage of the whole country. The aim is to build a platform of diabetes experts nationwide across Africa. It is a very difficult Diploma; it needs dedication and hard work, therefore, selection and screening of the right candidates is the key to ensure their continuity and success but Ministries of Health are doing a great job to find the eligible candidates who do not drop out of the course.” Merck Foundation is providing for One-Year Diploma in Diabetes Management and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK. Moreover, Merck Foundation is providing for French Speaking countries the ‘Master course in the Clinical Management of Diabetes’ in French, accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom. So far, Merck Foundation has already enrolled more than 180 candidates under their ‘Merck Nationwide Diabetes Blue Point Project’ from 34 African and Asian Countries including Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Gambia, UAE, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. “On completion, of course, clinicians will set up a diabetes clinic within the public sector setting, nationwide. This will mark another milestone of our commitment to working with governments, academia and relevant stakeholders in building healthcare capacity with a focus on non-communicable diseases in developing countries” added Dr Rasha Kelej. Lorato Wadikonyana from Botswana, candidate enrolled under Diabetes Blue Points Project says, “This course will be very beneficial not only for me but also for the people of my country as it will enable me to provide the right care and treatment for the complications that arise due to diabetes”. George Mshanga from Zambia, candidate enrolled under Diabetes Blue Points Project says “I am delighted to be a beneficiary of this project, as it this will enable me to improve my knowledge and experience and utilize my expertise to help and treat the people of my country.” About Merck Foundation: About Merck: Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma. |
World Diabetes Day 2019: Merck Foundation Partners With African First Ladies to Increase the Diabetes Experts
