Merck, a leading global pharmaceutical and healthcare company is collaborating with universities in Asia and Africa to introduce European accredited clinical diabetes management (EACDM) programme for medical graduates across various medical colleges in both the continents.

In India, the company has already collaborated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and Directorate of Medical Education & Research. As part of its collaboration, the company is introducing EACD management programme for more than 5000 medical students in 18 medical colleges in Maharashtra.

Similarly, as part of Merck’s capacity advancement programme (CAP); the company has already introduced various programmes addressing advances in cancer, diabetes and fertility managements for medical undergraduates.

This year again, the company is aiming to reach out to more medical students and is expected to completing its 3rd year of collaboration in September. By the year 2018, the company is aiming to reach out more than 15000 medical students with its advanced capacity building programme.

Earlier 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 in 2015.

The course introduced by Merck is European accredited and will be incorporated in the MBBS curricula of 18 medical colleges in Maharashtra. Overall the programme is aimed at building up the future Diabetes health care capacity in the state.

Dr. Stefan Oschmann, vice chairman and deputy CEO of Merck said, “Merck’s collaboration with universities in both Asia and Africa is part of our commitment to building healthcare capacity and providing sustainable access to high-quality health solutions and safe medicines. Our collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER) in India marks another step in our commitment to working with governments and other stakeholders in building healthcare capacity with a focus on non-communicable diseases. We are aiming to concentrate in various countries in Asia-Pacific, Middle East Africa and Latin America."

In addition to this, Merck has already started diabetes education CME tour in ten medical colleges in Nagpur, Yavatmal , Akola, Latur, Nanded, Aurangabab, Pune, Mirag and Kolhapur in February, March and April as a first stage in India.

Prof. Dr Arun Jamkar, vice chancellor of MUHS- Nashik emphasized, “Joint collaboration with DMER and Merck, for diabetes education course aims to provide guidelines and clinical practice for prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes and its complications for medical undergraduates of the 18 medical colleges in Maharashtra University.”

Overall Merck’s CAP is aimed at expanding the professional capacity of medical students 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.