By Ebere Agozie
Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health says it will continue to provide their scholarship of one-year Post-Graduate Diploma and two-year Master degree in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes for doctors from African, Asian and Latin American countries.
Gfhnews reports that Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany.
Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation who announced the scholarship to mark the 2021 ‘World Hypertension Day’ said she was very proud that the foundation has so far provided scholarships to over 628 Medical postgraduates from 42 countries.
“Additionally, doctors are also enrolled for a three-month Diabetes Master course in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, so as to advance their clinical knowledge in tackling non-communicable conditions.
Kelej said that as a response to COVID 19, the foundation adopted an online medical education strategy to scale up its efforts to improve access to quality healthcare solutions, widely and effectively.
“We are committed to enrolling more doctors in more specialties to be able to build a platform of healthcare experts and transform the healthcare sector in underserved communities.
“These doctors are from Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinee Conakry, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, and Malawi.
“Other are from Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe’’.
Dr Florence Akumiah, Merck Foundation alumnus from Ghana says, “I feel very privileged and happy to be part of this program.
“I have successfully completed the two-year Master course in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, and the course has enabled me to broaden my understanding of cardiovascular and related diseases and will eventually help me in treating the patients better.
“I am now able to come up with a proper management plan for Hypertension and Diabetes patients’’.
She thanked Merck Foundation for their efforts, adding that they are doing a commendable job by providing training for doctors like her who are eager to learn and serve their communities.
