Latest news with #Cardiovascular
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Merck Foundation Marks ‘World Hypertension Day' 2025 – Transforming Hypertension, Cardiovascular and Diabetes Care in Africa and Beyond by Providing 863 Scholarships for Doctors From 52 Countries
Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World Hypertension Day 2025' in partnership with Africa's First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia through their 'Nationwide Diabetes&Hypertension Blue Points Program', by reinforcing its commitment to improving cardiovascular and diabetes care across Africa, and beyond. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation stated, 'At Merck Foundation we observe 'World Hypertension Day' by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiovascular preventive care, which are all co-related, by providing scholarships for young doctors from across Africa and beyond. Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, and partners like Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, we have till today provided more than 860 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries, of One-Year Online PG Diplomas and Two-Year Online Master's Degrees in Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Obesity&Weight Management, as well as One-Year Clinical Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Diabetes Onsite Fellowship Programs in India, a special 3-month Diabetes Mastercourse in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish languages. What is special about these scholarships is that they have been provided not only to doctors from capital cities, but also to those from across the country — ensuring wider geographic coverage of healthcare capacity. We remain committed to continuing our efforts to improve healthcare capacity and access to hypertension and diabetes care.' Merck Foundation has in total provided more than 2270 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Dr. Dzifa Ahadzi, Merck Foundation alumnus from Ghana shares, 'I have completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiology and currently pursuing MSc in Cardiology. Being a practicing cardiologist, this program has provided me with the opportunity to consolidate my knowledge and apply current advances in cardiovascular care to my clinical practice. Since completing the PG Diploma in Cardiology, I have been involved in establishing a Heart Failure clinic in my hospital that caters to the needs of a diverse population of Heart Failure patients including women with Postpartum cardiomyopathy and Cardio-oncology patients. I am extremely grateful to Merck Foundation for the support and exposure it has provided me. It has inspired me and helped me to improve cardiovascular care amongst the population that I serve.' Merck Foundation scholarships are of great value, given that as per WHO data, the African region has the highest prevalence of hypertension, with approximately 27% of adults affected. Therefore, Merck Foundation has launched several community awareness programs to emphasize on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension prevention, early detection and management. Merck Foundation, together with The First Ladies of Africa, has launched a storybook and its adapted animation Film 'Mark's Pressure'. 'I believe early education is key to building a healthier community. Through our storybook and animation film 'Mark's Pressure', we aim to instill healthy habits in children and youth — like reducing salt and sugar, eating well, exercising, and avoiding smoking. I believe that this is the only way to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes, which are major risk factors for many serious complications and illnesses.' Watch the 'Mark's Pressure' Animation Film here: Moreover, Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa' conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation has episodes dedicated to raising awareness about Diabetes and Promoting Healthy Lifestyle. Watch the Episodes here: 'Our Africa' TV Program has been broadcasted on National and Prime TV stations of many African countries like Burundi, Botswana, Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia and is currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook ( Instagram ( Twitter ( and YouTube ( and Merck Foundation (Facebook ( Instagram ( Twitter ( and YouTube ( Additionally, Merck Foundation together with African First Ladies, also launches annually, their Awards for best Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians/ Singers, and new potential talents in these fields from African countries to Promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. 1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. 2. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2025 '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. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. 3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2025 '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 and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. 4. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation. Additional Images: Contact details: Mehak Handa Community Awareness Program Manager +91 9310087613 / +91 9319606669 Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: X: YouTube: Instagram: Threads: Flickr: Website: About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare&scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook ( X ( Instagram ( YouTube ( Threads ( and Flickr ( The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Euronews
06-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
AstraZeneca reports strong results boosted by promising trials
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced its fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings on Thursday. Product sales for the fourth quarter came up to $13.4 billion (€12.9bn), which was a rise of 18% in actual terms. Total revenue for Q4 2024 was $14.9bn (€14.4bn), which was a surge of 24%. Core earnings per share (EPS) came up to $2.09 (€2.0), which was a jump of 44%. For the full year 2024, product sales came up to $50.9bn (€49.1bn), an increase of 16%, whereas total revenue grew 18% to $54.1bn (€52.2bn). Core EPS advanced 13% to $8.21 (€7.9). These robust figures were mainly driven by a number of promising trials, with the company delivering nine positive high value Phase III studies during the full year 2024. AstraZeneca has seen rising demand for its drugs across all of its main markets in 2024 as well. This is expected to go a long way in helping the company grow this year. Pascal Soriot, the chief executive officer (CEO) of AstraZeneca, said in the fourth quarter and full year earnings report on the company's website: 'This year marks the beginning of an unprecedented, catalyst-rich period for our company, an important step on our Ambition 2030 journey to deliver $80bn total revenue by the end of the decade. 'In 2025 alone, we anticipate the first Phase III data for seven new medicines, along with several important new indication opportunities for our existing medicines. We are also investing in and making significant progress with transformative technologies that have the potential to drive our growth well beyond 2030, many of which have now entered pivotal trials.' Strong trials and pipeline continue to support AstraZeneca growth AstraZeneca's main departments saw increasing growth in 2024, with total revenue from Oncology rising 24%. Rare Disease total revenue grew 16%, whereas Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM) total revenue jumped 20%. Respiratory and immunology total revenue also surged 25%, with vaccines and immune therapies (V&I) total revenue advancing 8% as well. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said in an email note: 'AstraZeneca is in rude health. It has delivered a solid set of numbers, beating market expectations on both the revenue and earnings lines. 'A good run of Phase III trials during the year bodes well for converting the pipeline of drug developments into the next generation of products to sustain earnings growth. Having something else ready on the conveyer belt is paramount to the success of pharma companies as they face patent cliffs. 'China import-related tax issues won't derail the business. They're just noise and any fines will be small fry relative to the typical outflows from a company the size of AstraZeneca. Unlike GSK which delivered a lopsided performance thanks to weakness in its vaccines arm, AstraZeneca looks more balanced with gains recorded across all therapy areas. 'So far, so good, yet AstraZeneca needs to sustain this strong momentum if it is to achieve ambitious medium-term goals.'
