Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health and Medical societies provided more than 760 scholarships of one-year Post-Graduate Diploma and two-year Master Degree in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity and Weight Management to doctors from 52 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

These 760 scholarships are part of the total 1810 scholarships Merck Foundation provided to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Sexual and Reproductive Care, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology&Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma&Orthopaedics and many more.

Merck Foundation has released the First Animation films “Mark’s Pressure”, and “Sugar Free Jude”, which are adapted from their Children storybooks with the aim to raise awareness about early detection and prevention of Hypertension and Diabetes (which are corelated) and to Promote Healthy Lifestyle, amongst children and youth in Africa and beyond.

Pan African TV Program “Our Africa” released by Merck Foundation addresses  Social and Health Issues such as Diabetes&Hypertension and promote Healthy Lifestyle in Africa through “Fashion and ART”, conceptualize and directed by Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Click here to watch the Episode on Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: https://apo-opa.co/3ue38jH

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Hypertension Day 2024’ together with Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, through their “Nationwide Diabetes&Hypertension Blue Points Program” by providing scholarships for young doctors to transform the patient care landscape in the fields of Hypertension, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, and by raising awareness in communities in Africa and beyond.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation stated, “At Merck Foundation we mark “World Hypertension Day” by improving access to quality and equitable Hypertension, Diabetes and Cardiovascular preventive care, which are all co-related, in Africa, Asia&Latin America.

Together with our Ambassadors – The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we have till today provided more than 760 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries, of One-year PG Diploma and Two-year Master degree in Preventive Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity&Weight Management, and also a special 3 month Diabetes Mastercourse in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

These scholarships have been provided to the young doctors to form a strong platform of experts nationwide, and not only from capitals or big cities.”

Merck Foundation has in total provided more than 1810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.

Senator, Dr. Kelej further added “We recently launched new Fellowship Programs of One-year Clinical Cardiovascular care and One-year Clinical Diabetes, onsite training programs in India for African doctors. These programs will help us to further improve cardiovascular, Hypertension and Diabetes care in Africa and other developing countries.”

Dr. Victoria Mumbo, Merck Foundation alumnus from Kenya shares, “I have completed the post-graduate degree in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, provided by Merck Foundation. I would like to extend my gratitude to Merck Foundation for this life changing opportunity. After the completion of this course, my approach towards patient management has changed. It has helped me to also educate the community about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.”

Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies have released  a children’s storybook and adapted animation Film “Mark’s Pressure” with an aim to focus on the causes of the early onset of hypertension and raising awareness about its early detection, prevention and management.

Through our new animation film “Mark’s Pressure”, we want to encourage our communities to reduce salt, stop sugar, exercise regularly, eat healthy and stop smoking, this is the only way to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes, which are predominant risk factors for the development of several serious complications and diseases”, says Senator Rasha Kelej.

Watch the “Mark’s Pressure” Animation Film here: https://apo-opa.co/3QFrf26

Merck Foundation’s pan African TV program “Our Africa”, that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness about social and health issues, has episodes dedicated to raise awareness about Diabetes and Promoting Healthy Lifestyle.

Watch the Episodes here:

https://apo-opa.co/3ue38jH

https://apo-opa.co/49B40Pn

The show will be broadcasted on KTV in Kenya, every Saturday at 5:00 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.

It is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/48Jpjxo), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3St4oc8), Twitter (http://apo-opa.co/3Ss45yo) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3vE1SqC)) and Merck Foundation (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/47HPK5u), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/494Vib1), Twitter (http://apo-opa.co/3U8RG3y) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4apQjCh)).

Merck Foundation together with African First Ladies, also launch annually, the Awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians/ Singers, and new potential talents in these fields from African countries to Promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to:

submit@merck-foundation.com

Click on the icon below to download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4ddoe3L

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

More Images: https://apo-opa.co/3UHGGsR

Media contact:
Mehak Handa 
Community Awareness Program Manager 
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669  
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com 

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com

About Merck Foundation: 
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/47HPK5u, Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/3U8RG3y, Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/494Vib1, YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/494wHn4 and Flickr: http://apo-opa.co/3UfoOVU.

According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, held separate phone calls on Tuesday with Lt-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the rival Rapid Support Forces.

Diplomatic approach

Mr. Türk urged them both to act immediately – and publicly – to de-escalate the situation, said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, who noted that the UN rights chief had previously approached the rival generals in November 2022.

“He warned both commanders that fighting in El-Fasher, where more than 1.8 million residents and internally displaced people are currently encircled and at imminent risk of famine, would have a catastrophic impact on civilians, and it  would deepen intercommunal conflict with disastrous humanitarian consequences,” Ms. Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva.

“He reminded the commanders of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure strict compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, and to put an end to any ongoing violations, as well as ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by their respective forces and allies.”

13 months of heavy fighting

Thirteen months of war in Sudan have left half of the population in need of humanitarian assistance – a staggering 25 million people, including 14 million children. Millions have been repeatedly displaced, becoming more vulnerable each time, and aid teams have warned repeatedly that famine is closing in, with the approach of the rainy season. 

The UN human rights office expressed concerns about the ongoing and lasting impact of conflict across Sudan, while highlighting the dire situation affecting civilians caught up in escalating violence in and around El Fasher in Darfur.

At least 58 civilians are reported to have been killed and 213 others since fighting dramatically escalated in the North Darfur town last week, OHCHR said.

Disease, famine closing in

Echoing concerns about the emergency situation, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, warned that diseases are closing in and people are “staring famine in the face”.

The UN-partnered response plan aims to reach and support 15 million of the worst-affected people but $2.7 billion is needed urgently to do so.

Today, humanitarians have received only 12 per cent of the total and without an immediate injection of funds, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke warned that aid teams “won’t be able to scale up in time to stave off famine and prevent further deprivation”.

He added that funding would be used to “bring in more food, health services, shelter, water and sanitation, but also for prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, help to the victims, and support for the re-opening of schools for out-of-school children”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Partnership involves events collocation; GITEX Africa (https://GITEXAfrica.com/) is regarded as the largest innovation and business tech startup event on the continent.

Smart Africa has signed a partnership agreement with GITEX Africa to organize the 2nd Ministerial peer exchange, the 3rd meeting of the Council of African ICT agencies (CAITA) alongside a training for the CAITA, in collaboration with the AFRALTI (African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI), and the inaugural Africa Digital Health Leadership Forum among other activities. Happening from 29th to 31st May 2024 in Marrakesh, Morocco, GITEX Africa is regarded as the largest tech and startup event in the continent. Venue provision, inviting participants, and visibility are among the deliverables agreed upon.

The Africa Digital Health Leadership Forum is a premier event, uniting distinguished leaders from the Health and ICT sectors, including entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to explore the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of healthcare in Africa. The one-day forum, jointly hosted by Smart Africa, Africa CDC and GITEX Africa, will feature interactive thematic sessions and networking event, and will take place on 31st May 2024. Additionally, the meeting of the Council of African IT Agencies (CAITA) is set for May 29, 2024.

“We are pleased to join forces with GITEX Africa to collocate high-level events including the first Africa Digital Health Leadership Forum. This is a crucial gathering to discuss digital infrastructure, governance models and frameworks affecting the digital health sector, and to develop solutions together,” said Smart Africa’s CEO, Mr. Lacina Koné.  

As part of the partnership, Smart Africa through the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) will organize a Ministerial peer exchange and a training workshop for the members of the CAITA on the sidelines of GITEX Africa. The Ministerial peer exchange will bring to fore, the key learnings of some countries in Africa in their digital transformation journeys, while the training for the members of CAITA will address the importance of innovative thinking in digitalization with a focus on data, emerging technology and more. These activities will support the implementation of the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA).

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, GITEX Africa and World Future Health Africa’s organiser, said: “As GITEX Africa returns for its highly anticipated second record-breaking edition alongside the debut of World Future Health Africa, we once again proudly celebrate our successful alliance with Smart Africa, creating new avenues for digital advancement, enhancing tech awareness and accessibility, and fostering cross-regional collaborations. As a platform to catalyse innovation, investments, relevant connections, and thought-provoking discussions, GITEX Africa 2024 has expanded its boundaries, presenting invaluable opportunities for public and private sectors alike to converge and play a pivotal role in the future of tech.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

GITEX Africa Media Contact:
Tayce Marchesi – PR Executive
Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994
Tayce.Marchesi@dwtc.com

For more information, contact:
Yvan Guéhi, Head of Brand and Communications
Smart Africa Secretariat
​E-mail: comms@smartafrica.org

GITEX Africa on social media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3v1htkm
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/43gcRU0
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3TJoQXf
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3VfTpoz
Youtube: https://apo-opa.co/3vcZI1p
Hashtag: #GITEXAFRICA

Follow Smart Africa on:
Website: www.SmartAfrica.org
Twitter: @RealSmartAfrica
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3NL7Dcu

About Smart Africa:
Smart Africa is an alliance of African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs. With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 39 member countries, representing over 1.1 billion people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.

About GITEX Africa:
GITEX Africa (https://apo-opa.co/3K8cemA) is the largest and most influential tech and start-up event on the African continent, taking place from 29-31 May 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco. The 2nd landmark edition returns to the Red City, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco. Hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD), under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, GITEX Africa’s expansion in 2024 is amplified by the debut of the co-located World Future Health Africa, accelerating the continent’s ascending tech-fuelled digital health revolution. The blockbuster duo is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which organises GITEX GLOBAL in the UAE, the world’s largest and most trusted tech and start-up event.

CyberKnight, a leading cybersecurity advisory and value-added-distributor (VAD), headquartered in Dubai with local presence across the Middle East, proudly announces its expansion into Africa. To spearhead business development efforts on the continent, the Company has appointed Naoufal Mzali as the Regional Sales Director.

With over 17 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity, his strong engineering background, coupled with a successful track record in sales, makes Naoufal an asset to the CyberKnight team. As the newly appointed Regional Sales Director for Levant, Egypt&Africa, he will lead the charge in strengthening CyberKnight’s presence in the territory and fostering growth in the African cybersecurity market.

In addition to this significant milestone, CyberKnight is excited to announce its participation at GITEX Africa 2024, scheduled to take place in Marrakech from May 29th to 31st. This premier event presents a valuable platform for CyberKnight to highlight its thought leadership in Zero Trust Security, showcase its portfolio of market-leading solutions and deepen customer and  partner relationships with key stakeholders in Africa.

At GITEX Africa 2024, CyberKnight will join forces with some of its key technology partners:

Crowdstrike – EDR, Cloud Security&Threat Intel
Xage – Zero Trust Security for OT Environments (MFA/SSO)
Group-IB – Fraud Detection, ASM, DRP, Threat Intelligence&DFIR
NetWitness – NDR, UEBA,&Network Forensics
Fortra – Classification, DLP, PT, MFT, SEG, DMARC, CDR

“We are excited to enter this new chapter of growth with CyberKnight’s on-the-ground expansion into Africa. Since the company’s inception, we have been doing business opportunistically in multiple African countries from our HQ in Dubai. But now, our participation at GITEX Africa for the first time, underscores our commitment to delivering best-of-breed cybersecurity expertise to enterprise and government customers, as well as strategic partners across Africa. Moving forward, we will be building teams across the continent, starting with North Africa.,” commented Naoufal Mzali, Regional Sales Director at CyberKnight.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Olesya Pavlova
Olesya.pavlova@cyberknight.tech

About CyberKnight:
CyberKnight is a cybersecurity advisory and value-added-distributor (VAD) covering META region with on-the-ground presence in all key regional markets. Our ZTX (Zero Trust Security) methodology, based on the Forrester framework, incorporates emerging and market-leading cybersecurity solutions that protect the entire attack surface, by leveraging AI, threat intelligence and collective defence. CyberKnight helps security and risk teams at enterprise and government customers simplify breach detection, prevention, and incident response, while addressing regulatory compliance. CyberKnight’s Art of Cybersecurity Distribution business model enables strategic partners to achieve greater market penetration, return-on-investment, and time-to-value.