diplomacy&development

  Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for the 2026 Edition of Merck Foundation Fashion, Song & Film Awards ‘More Than a Mother’ and ‘Diabetes & Hypertension’, in partnership with First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the Africa’s First Ladies, also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation more Than a Mother” announced the winners of their Fashion, Song, and Film Awards 2025, under two themes: “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes & Hypertension”. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels. The theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in Afri...

    It is possible to prevent high blood pressure by eating less salt, eating more fruits and vegetables, staying active daily, keeping a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and avoiding tobacco. These simple habits protect your heart and keep your blood pressure in a safe range every day. Adults need to have their blood pressure accurately measured and controlled to live longer. Early detection and careful management of hypertension are essential. Eating Less Salt : Excess sodium makes your body hold onto extra fluid. This fluid volume builds pressure in your blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic notes that restricting sodium can drop your blood pressure by 5 to 6 mm Hg. Eating More Fruits & Vegetables : Plant-based foods are naturally packed with potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Potassium counteracts the negative effects of sodium by relaxing your blood vessel walls. Staying Active Daily : Routine exercise strengthens your heart muscle. A stronger heart pumps blood with much l...

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia during the MFFLI SUMMIT 2025 Merck Foundation is also raising awareness about the importance of supporting girls’ education through a range of creative initiatives, including inspiring children’s storybooks, animation films, awareness songs, and dedicated episodes on this theme through their Our Africa by Merck Foundation TV program. Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia who are also their Ambassadors, and partners including Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender mark ‘International Women’s Day 2026’, through their impactful and transformative development programs, reaffirming over 14 years of their sustained commitment and legacy in empowering women and girls. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African and African Women for Seven Consecutiv...

Many people don't know they have high blood pressure, or hypertension because there are usually no warning signs. This can be dangerous, because high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke.  It should be stressed that anyone can often prevent or treat high blood pressure. In fact early diagnosis and heart-healthy lifestyle changes can keep high blood pressure from seriously damaging your health. Blood pressure explanation Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure. The Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The ...

Le diabète gestationnel touche 3 % à 20 % des femmes enceintes. Il se développe généralement entre la 24e et la 28e semaine d'aménorrhée. Durant cette période, les hormones placentaires entraînent une insulino-résistance, ce qui signifie que l'insuline maternelle est moins efficace pour réguler la glycémie. Le diabète gestationnel (diabète de grossesse) est une augmentation du taux de sucre dans le sang qui apparaît lors de la grossesse et disparaît après l'accouchement. Ceci survient lorsque le placenta produit des hormones bloquant l'action de l'insuline. Généralement sans symptôme, il est dépisté au deuxième trimestre C'est en fait une augmentation de la glycémie qui apparaît pendant la grossesse et disparaît après l'accouchement. Il a un impact sur la santé de la mère et de l’enfant . Il s'agit d'un trouble de la tolérance au sucre avec augmentation de la glycémie (quantité de sucre dans le sang) plus ou moins importante. Il est diagnostiqué pour...

L'Aprocitentane (commercialisé sous le nom de TRYVIO) a été approuvé par la FDA américaine pour traiter l'hypertension artérielle résistante après avoir fait l'objet de l'essai clinique mondial PRECISION, dirigé en Australie par le professeur Markus Schlaich de la The University of Western Australia (UWA).Ce médicament cible la voie de l'endothéline pour aider les patients dont la tension artérielle ne baisse pas avec les traitements standards. Ce médicament contre l'hypertension artérielle a été testé dans le cadre d'une étude menée par The University of Western Australia a été approuvé pour une utilisation aux États-Unis. La Food and Drug Administration des États-Unis a approuvé TRYVIO, un médicament destiné à traiter l'hypertension artérielle chez les patients ayant montré une résistance à d'autres médicaments. Le professeur Markus Schlaich, titulaire de la chaire Dobney en recherche clinique à la faculté de médecine de l'UWA, a dirigé l...