The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Merck Foundation, in conjunction with African First Ladies, has facilitated scholarships for 735 doctors to undergo specialist training in cardiovascular, diabetes and endocrinology care.
In a statement to mark World Hypertension Day today, Merck Foundation chief executive officer, Dr Rasha Kelej, said the doctors were equipped with skills to tackle non-communicable diseases.
“At Merck Foundation, we mark World Hypertension Day every day by providing till today more than 735 scholarships of one-year diploma and two-year master degree of cardiovascular, diabetes, endocrinology, and obesity and weight management care specialty training to doctors from 43 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“This is in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, and medical societies, a strong platform of experts nationwide not only from capitals or big cities,” said Dr Kelej.
She also launched a children’s story book ‘Mark’s Pressure’, which promotes a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention, early detection, causes and management of hypertension.
“On the occasion of World Hypertension Day, I am very happy to bring to you Merck Foundation’s new children storybook – ‘Mark’s Pressure’ in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies – which is currently available on our social media and websites and will be distributed soon in our partner countries,” she said.
The 2023 World Hypertension Day theme is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer’.
Dr Kelej added that the book also emphasises on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
“It is a reminder to all of you that health is our only wealth. The story communicates an important message that hypertension can be prevented and managed with lifestyle modifications like exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, eliminating salty and sugary meals and eating healthy food.
“We have also released “Sugar free Jude” storybook and new song, “No More Diabetes” in three languages; English, French and Portuguese to raise awareness about diabetes because both Conditions are correlated and we should address both at the same time,” added Dr Kelej.
Dr Kwizera Lucie, Merck Foundation alumnus from Burundi said she completed the post-graduate degree in preventive cardiovascular medicine.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Merck Foundation for giving me the scholarship to pursue this course from the University of South Wales. It has helped me to serve my community in a better way. It has changed my approach towards patient assessment and management. Merck Foundation is truly changing lives.”
Medical graduates from 43 countries including Zimbabwe have benefitted from the 735 scholarships provided by Merck Foundation.
Other recipients are from Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Conakry,
Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.
Hypertension is a silent killer that rarely causes symptoms. Increasing public awareness about hypertension is key, along with access to early detection and management.
It is a major risk factor for premature mortality among adults across the globe.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in a person’s blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common, but can be serious if not treated.
WHO adds that people with high blood pressure may not feel symptoms and the only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked.
Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet, and drinking too much alcohol.
WHO further says an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries
An estimated 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.
WHO also said less than half of adults (42 percent) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated while approximately 1 in 5 adults (21 percent) with hypertension have it under control.
“Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure and can help anyone with hypertension. Many who make these changes will still need to take medicine.”
Complications of uncontrolled hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart.
Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.
