Merck, a leading German pharmaceutical and chemical company, in collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Mumbai, has pledged to support diabetes education as part of its Capacity Advancement Programme in the state.

During her visit to India, Rasha Kelej, vice president, Head of Global Business Responsibility and Market Development, Merck Serono, said: “Merck is pleased to launch the Merck Capacity Advancement Programme in India as part of our commitment to providing sustainable access to high-quality health solutions and safe medicines in India and the rest of Asia.”

The Merck Capacity Advancement Programme aims at expanding the professional capacity in the areas of research and development, clinical research, supply chain integrity and efficiency, pharmacovigilance, medical education and awareness for medical and pharmacy undergraduates, physicians and pharmacists in rural areas.

Honourable Minister of Medical Education and Horticulture of Maharashtra, Shri. Jitendra Awhad, welcomed Merck stating: “We are especially delighted to partner with Merck, the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company, to implement such a noble initiative such as Merck’s Capacity Advancement Programme and to associate with other institutions whose overall objectives and goals are directed towards alleviating challenges of emerging diseases such as Diabetes by supporting Diabetes education.”

He added, “We welcome initiatives of this kind in our country and look forward to its success to help medical students, healthcare providers and public to have access to safe and high quality health care solutions across India.”

Elcin Ergun, executive vice-president, head of Global Commercial of Merck Serono, “We are fully committed to partner with Governments, Universities, Healthcare institutions and Patients Associations in India to develop and deliver solutions to expand healthcare capacities and improve access to health as part of the Merck Capacity Advancement Programme. The 5 year Programme was kicked off successfully in 7 sub- Saharan countries which are Kenya, Uganda, Namibia Angola, Ghana, Tanzania and Mozambique and will further expand to other Sub-Saharan and Asian countries and in 2014.”

Based on its long experience in diabetes management, which began in 1957 with the development of metformin, Merck Serono seeks to raise awareness of diabetes in Africa by educating the public and supporting the healthcare system to prevent, diagnose and manage the condition effectively. As part of the Merck Capacity Advancement Programme, more than 1,000 medical students from the Maharashtra University of Health sciences will benefit from European-accredited clinical diabetes and chronic diseases management training, which is seeking to equip them with skills to avert the diabetes epidemic. Merck is planning to target 9,000 students by the end of 2018 expanding to more sub-Saharan and Asian countries.

During the meeting Hon. Minister, Shri. Jitendra Awhad said: “Working in partnership with Merck, we have no doubt that we are getting quality, mature and professional partnership that will help to build Diabetes health care Capacity in India.”

Merck is greatly honored to collaborate on this Programme with our valuable partners in Maharashtra State to improve the standard of diabetes healthcare, medical education and awareness of diabetes in India.

The rising numbers of diabetics all over the world calls for prioritising diabetes care and awareness to prevent the disease from turning into an epidemic. The Merck Capacity Advancement Programme seeks to improve the healthcare sector in India with special focus on rural areas through educating and empowering those affected by diabetes on how to manage and prevent it.

It is evident that with such support diabetes will be better managed and even preventable as information on the disease spreads across the nation.

In addition to medical education and awareness, Merck shall continue to work with partners in India at large to expand the capacity of professionals in diabetes management through its Capacity Advancement Programme.