Merck Foundation announces winners for Merck Diabetes Award

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marked 'World Diabetes Day 2018' by announcing the winners of Merck Diabetes Awards 2017 and call for application for Merck Diabetes Award 2018.

"Merck Foundation launched 'Merck Diabetes Award' in 2016 in more than 30 African and Asian universities in partnership with health ministries. The aim is to build a platform of diabetes experts across the globe.

This year we discussed the concept of involving our partners from First ladies and ministries of health in 10 African countries in selecting the winners and the candidates for this valuable diploma so that they can establish diabetes clinics across the counties in each country, this will be a strong milestone of improving access to quality and equitable diabetes care, not only in the capital but nationwide" emphasizes Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

Winners of the Merck Diabetes Award 2017 were announced this year. The award attracted over 500 concept submission applications from universities in Africa and Asia. The winners from each university have been provided with an opportunity to study for a one-year online Post Graduate Diabetes Diploma from the South Wales University, United Kingdom.

Merck Foundation will also provide an opportunity to winners from French-speaking countries to enroll for a three-month foundation Course on Diabetes in French, accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners, UK.

Merck Foundation also announced the call for application for the medical students to apply for the "Merck Diabetes Award" 2018-19 with the theme "Every Day is a Diabetes Day." Medical graduates across African and Asian medical universities have been asked to submit a concept paper on how to improve diabetes early detection and prevention in their countries and how to encourage their society, scientific community, local authorities, media and relevant stakeholders to think and act on diabetes every day. The deadline for the submission of the entries is 31st January 2019.

"Merck Diabetes Award marks 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.

Dr. Goufon kuete Herve from Cameroon, an award winner from Merck Diabetes Award 2017 says, "As a physician working in a rural setting where most patients referred to tertiary hospitals, die on their way due to diabetic complications, this program will enable me to properly manage the patients, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this health burden."

Fu Mei Sian from Malaysia, another award winner said "I am delighted to be the winner of this award, as it this will enable me to improve my knowledge and experience and provide my expertise to the people of my country."

Some of the winners of Merck Diabetes Awards 2017 are:

Dr. Nishmita.R, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, India

Serge Yannick OUEDRAOGO, University Ouaga, Burkina Faso

Mlondolozi Malloy, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Misago Nadine, University of Burundi, Burundi

Menaka Ponnamperuma, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka

Victor Ekem, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana

Dr. Okello Samuel Moses, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

Dr. Goufon kuete Herve, Graduated from the University of Buea, Cameroon

Amulo Anyoti, Kilimanjaro Christian College, Tanzania

Dellaneira Setjiadi, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.