Panelists during the Merck Diabetes and Hypertension Awards announcement event
In April 2016, Merck Capacity Advancement Program recognized the World Health Day by launching the“Merck Diabetes Award” and “Merck Hypertension Awards” across more than 30 African and Asian universities with the aim to build a platform of diabetes and hypertension experts across the globe.
In February 2015, Merck in partnership with Dubai Medical University invited all medical students to apply for the “Merck Diabetes Award” 2016 with the theme “Every Day is a Diabetes Day”.
During the event, Merck announced the winner, who received the award in a ceremony attended by Belen Garijo, CEO of Merck Healthcare and members of the MAAP (Merck Africa Asia Platform), who included the Dean of Clinical Medicine Dubai Medical University, President of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Africa, Vice President of Pan African Cardiology Society, the Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and the Member of Dubai Diabetes Guidelines.
Merck Diabetes and Hypertension Awards mark another step in our commitment to working with governments, academia and relevant stakeholders in building healthcare capacity with a focus on non-communicable diseases in various countries in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America,” said Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare.
Hypertension a major public health issue:
Hypertension is a silent, invisible killer that rarely causes symptoms. Increasing public awareness is a key, as is access to early detection. Raised blood pressure is a serious warning sign that significant lifestyle changes are urgently needed. People need to know why raised blood pressure is dangerous, and how to take steps to control it. They need to know that raised blood pressure and other risk factors such as diabetes are often related.
Increased blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death and for disability globally. According to the World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Study, approximately 4 in 10 adults over age 25 have hypertension and in many countries another 1 in 5 have pre-hypertension.
Increased blood pressure was the cause of an estimated 9.4 million deaths and 162 million years of life lost in 2010.
The adverse health consequences of hypertension are compounded because many people affected also have other health risk factors that increase the odds of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. These risk factors include tobacco use, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus.
The United Nations has agreed to a 2025 goal of reducing hypertension by 25% and dietary sodium 30%.
High-income countries have begun to reduce hypertension in their populations through strong public health policies such as reduction of salt in processed food and widely available diagnosis and treatment that tackle hypertension and other risk factors together. There are many examples of joint action – across sectors – that is effectively addressing risk factors for raised blood pressure.
All medical undergraduates and post graduates are invited to apply for the Merck Hypertension Award 2016
Theme: What the Healthy Heart needs
Merck Hypertension Award will be rolled out in many of the African and Asian universities as part of our commitment to building healthcare capacity and improving access to quality and sustainable healthcare solutions in developing countries.
The aim of Merck Hypertension Award is to Create Hypertension Experts Platform across the globe.
To raise the required awareness to control and prevent hypertension, countries need systems, policies and services in place to promote universal health coverage and support healthy lifestyles: eating a balanced diet, reducing salt intake, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, getting regular exercise and stopping the use of tobacco.
Please submit a concept paper about:
How to improve the awareness about hypertension control and prevention in your country.
How to encourage your society, scientific community, local authorities, media and relevant stakeholders to think and act on Hypertension Every Day.
Your ideas of developing new policies, strategies, social media campaigns and more.
Be creative and think out of the box.
Share your insights to make a difference.
Your submission will be reviewed by a Scientific Committee.
Merck Hypertension Award is:
“Postgraduate Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicines with University of South Wales”.
Please submit your one page concept paper to:
submit@MerckHypertensionAward.com
Submission deadline is 20th of June 2016.
Watch medical students at the Dubai Medical University as they share their ideas on how to improve diabetes awareness in United Arab Emirates
Watch testimonies of University of Nairobi students on the benefits of Merck Capacity Advancement Program
Entry requirements
Postgraduate Diploma
Health professionals, both UK and overseas, with an honours degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) are eligible to apply for the PG Diploma Diabetes course online.
Non graduates are also encouraged to apply (applicants will be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at degree level).
Applicants should submit copies of the following with their application:
- qualification certificates
- one written reference
- English language qualification (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) please see University of South Wales for further details
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