diplomacy&development

    Adults need to have their blood pressure accurately measured and controlled to live longer. Early detection and careful management of hypertension are essential. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for premature death and disability, particularly in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. Untreated hypertension can lead to serious medical complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney damage and other disabling health problems. In 2019, hypertension was estimated to affect 38% of adults aged 30–79 years in the Region, or more than 104 million people. Shockingly, more than half of them (51%) are unaware of their status and more than 60% are not receiving treatment. Only 16% of the total number are able to control their disease. Established risk factors include poor diet (high in salt and low in fruit and vegetables), sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcoholism, and obesity. New risk factors include pollution (air, water, noise, light), urbanizati...

      Les adultes doivent faire mesurer leur tension artérielle avec précision et la contrôler pour vivre plus longtemps. Le dépistage précoce et la prise en charge rigoureuse de l'hypertension sont essentiels. L'hypertension est l'un des principaux facteurs de risque de décès prématuré et d'incapacité, en particulier dans la Région OMS de la Méditerranée orientale. L'hypertension non traitée peut entraîner de graves complications médicales telles qu'un accident vasculaire cérébral, un infarctus du myocarde, une insuffisance cardiaque, des lésions rénales et d'autres problèmes de santé invalidants. En 2019, on estime que l'hypertension touchait 38 % des adultes âgés de 30 à 79 ans dans la Région, soit plus de 104 millions de personnes. Par ailleurs, il est choquant de constater que plus de la moitié d'entre eux (51 %) ignorent leur statut et que plus de 60 % ne reçoivent pas de traitement. Seuls 16 % du nombre total sont en mesure de contrôler leur m...

Merck Foundation has trained more than 3200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Watch “More Than a Mother” animation film here: https://apo-opa.co/3yEget6 . Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany and Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) together conducted the Third Edition of “World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS) 2024”. The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign and also Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) together with Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and also The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties. It was attended by Dr. Edem Hiadzi, Immediate past President of the Fertility Society Of Ghana (FERSOG); Prof. Justin E. MBOLOKO, Immediate Past President, Inter-African Fertility Research an...

La Fondation Merck a formé plus de 3200 représentants des médias de plus de 35 pays pour sensibiliser la communauté et briser la stigmatisation autour de l'infertilité et des femmes stériles et sans enfants. Regardez le film d'animation "Plus Qu'une Mère" ici: https://apo-opa.co/3yEget6 . La Fondation Merck, la branche philanthropique de Merck KgaA Allemagne et la Société Africaine des Soins de Reproduction (ARCS) ont organisé ensemble la Troisième Edition du “Sommet Mondial de Sensibilisation à l'Infertilité (WIAS) 2024”. Le sommet était coprésidé par la Sénatrice Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck et présidente de la campagne « Plus Qu'une Mère » et également Présidente de la Société Africaine des Soins de Reproduction (ARCS), ainsi que par le Professeur Oladapo Ashiru OFR, Président du Directoire de la Société Africaine des Soins de Reproduction (ARCS) et également l'Académie Nigériane des Spécialités Médicales. Y ont participé le Dr. Edem H...

The five-year project will offer medical services to orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV in addition to delivering income-generating and life skills to economically vulnerable young women. Yesterday, the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael Adler and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Kate Crawford launched a new USAID-funded health project, Hayatna, which in Arabic means “our lives.” The five-year project will offer medical services to orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV in addition to delivering income-generating and life skills to economically vulnerable young women. The Ambassador said that the provision of assistance has been central to the decades-long history of U.S. efforts to help the South Sudanese people, and he thanked his USAID colleagues and implementing partners for their life-saving work. The Hayatna project will work in partnership with local organizations to support children and adolescents living with...

Over 30,000 mothers across Nigeria joined the event virtually, setting a new world record for the most mothers breastfeeding simultaneously. The U.S. government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, recognized World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7.  The campaign highlighted the importance of breastfeeding for infant and maternal health, emphasizing the shared responsibility to protect, promote, and support this vital practice. Guests at the launch event included mothers and their children, top-level government officials, representatives from the donor community, health development and welfare organizations, and USAID/Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha. Ms. Chukwuka Akpotha shared a goodwill message and helped lead a discussion with mothers about the importance of breastfeeding. In a coordinated effort, over 30,000 mothers across Nigeria joined the event virtually, setting a new world record for the most mothe...

AFC has mobilised over US$200 million in investments in DRC across its key sectors of natural resources, power, transport, and heavy industries, holding an investment pipeline of over US$850 million in the near- to-medium term. Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) ( www.AfricaFC.org ), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that it has received a new equity investment from Rawbank, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) leading banking and financial institutions. This equity injection is aligned with AFC’s strategy to mobilize African capital and diversify its capital base and underpins the Corporation’s mission to deliver pragmatic solutions to Africa’s significant infrastructure and industrialization requirements. For almost two decades, AFC has been committed to driving Africa’s economic transformation and sustainable development, and these milestone equity investments not only strengthen the Corporation’s capital base but broaden its reach a...

AFC a mobilisé plus de 200 millions USD d'investissements en RDC dans ses secteurs clés des ressources naturelles, de l'énergie, des transports et des industries lourdes, détenant un portefeuille d'investissements de plus de 850 millions USD à court et à moyen terme. Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) ( www.AfricaFC.org ), le chef de file des solutions d’infrastructure du continent, annonce ce jour avoir reçu un placement en actions de Rawbank, un des principaux acteurs bancaires et financiers de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Cette injection de fonds propres s’inscrit dans la stratégie d’AFC de mobiliser du capital africain et de diversifier sa base de capitaux, et rappelle sa mission de proposer des solutions pragmatiques aux importants besoins de l’Afrique en matière d’infrastructure et d’industrialisation. Depuis près de deux décennies, AFC s’engage à promouvoir la transformation économique et le développement durable de l’Afrique, et ces placements en actions...

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana and Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp • Merck Foundation declared Botswana First Lady as Ambassador of “More than a Mother” to build healthcare capacity, break infertility stigma, stop GBV and support girl education. • Merck Foundation Chairperson & CEO meet Botswana President and First Lady to acknowledge their Alumni and Award winners. • Merck Foundation marking strong milestone of Transforming Patient Care Landscape and Supporting Girl Education in partnership with Botswana First Lady. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which starte...

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI,  H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana and Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp. 5 Scholarships have been provided for Oncology to develop and support the cancer care capacity in the country. Merck Foundation ( www.MerckFoundation.com ), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2018 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education, stop GBV in Botswana and the rest of Africa.  The program took place in esteemed presence of The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ...

Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck avec S.E. Mme NEO JANE MASISI, La Première Dame du Botswana 5 bourses ont été accordées en Oncologie pour développer et soutenir la capacité de traitement du cancer dans le pays. La Fondation Merck ( www.MerckFoundation.com ), la branche philanthropique de Merck KGaA Allemagne, a officiellement lancé ses programmes en partenariat avec S.E. Mme NEO JANE MASISI, La Première Dame du Botswana, également Ambassadrice de la « Fondation Merck Plus Qu'une Mère », les programmes qui ont débuté en 2018 dans le but de transformer les soins aux patients, de renforcer les capacités de soins de santé, de briser la stigmatisation de l'infertilité, d'autonomiser les femmes, de soutenir l'éducation des filles, de mettre fin à la violence sexiste au Botswana et dans le reste de l'Afrique.   Le programme s'est déroulé en présence du Président de la République du Botswana, S.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI et du Présiden...