The songs communicate an important message that diabetes can be prevented and managed with lifestyle modifications like going sugar-free, eating healthy, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol intake
Merck Foundation (https://Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany launched three Songs in three languages named ‘NO more Diabetes, Sugar Free’ in English, ‘Dites non au Diabète’ in French and ‘Chega de Diabete’ in Portuguese.
Speaking about the songs, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am very happy to release our new three songs in English, French and Portuguese, as a part of our Merck Foundation Nationwide Diabetes Blue Point Program. The songs communicate an important message that diabetes can be prevented and managed with lifestyle modifications like going sugar-free, eating healthy, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
I am proud to collaborate with very talented and popular singers from three countries: Cwezi from Ghana for English Version, Laura Beg from Mauritius for the French Version, and Blaze from Mozambique for the Portuguese Version. All three singers have sung beautifully. I had a lot of fun working with them”.
Click here to listen to ‘NO More Diabetes, Sugar Free’ English Song: (https://bit.ly/3vcCVQ9)
Click here to listen to ‘Dites non au Diabète’ French Song: (https://bit.ly/3OrOw4J)
Click here to listen to ‘Chega de Diabete’ Portuguese Song: (https://bit.ly/3z22FzT)
Diabetes is an increasing problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is becoming more prevalent owing to rising rates of obesity, physical inactivity and urbanization. As per the recent data, 24 million adults in the age group of 20-79 years live with diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has been estimated to rise to 33 million and 55 million by 2030 and 2045 respectively.
Merck Foundation Nationwide Diabetes Blue Points Program in partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia helps improve access to equitable and quality diabetes care nationwide in African Countries.
“I am very proud to share that as a part of our Nationwide Diabetes Blue Points Program, Merck Foundation provides more than 660 scholarships in Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive and Endocrinology one-year diploma and two-year master degree for Doctors from 43 countries to better manage diabetes, hypertension, and endocrinology patients.
This also includes scholarships for the Master course in the Clinical Management of Diabetes in 4 languages- English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, endorsed by Diabetes UK for doctors from African and Latin American countries. Therefore, I’d like to invite young doctors to apply for our scholarships on submit@merck-foundation.com to fill the public healthcare gap if needed in their communities”, added Dr. Kelej.
Moreover, Merck Foundation has announced the Call for Applications for their “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media, Film, Song and Fashion Awards 2022 in partnership with African First Ladies. The Four awards have been announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students and new potential talents in these fields. The theme of the awards is to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. I invite all our talented artists and media representatives to apply for these awards at submit@merck-foundation.com”, concluded Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Details of the Awards:
1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension”:
Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
I am very proud to share that as a part of our Nationwide Diabetes Blue Points Program, Merck Foundation provides more than 660 scholarships
Who can apply:
Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African Countries
- West African Countries
- East African Countries
- African French Speaking Countries
- African Portuguese Speaking Countries
Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here (https://bit.ly/3csdIun) to view more details.
Sending multiple applications will increase the chances of winning the award.
2. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2022 “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.
Categories:
- English
- French
- Portuguese
- Arabic
Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here (https://bit.ly/3z55T5z) to view more details.
3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2022 “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, raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here (https://bit.ly/3z7C0BJ) to view more details.
4. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Categories:
- English
- French
- Portuguese
- Arabic
Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here (https://bit.ly/3JaxQNZ) to view more details.
Entries for all the awards to be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com.
OTHER ARTICLES
Zambia : The vital role of community health assistants in public health surveillance
Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
Confirmed Case of Mpox in Senegal: Situation Update (as of August 27, 2025)