AMCE Abuja hosts landmark African Health Forum, secures funding and partnerships

NIGERIA—The African Medical Centre of Excellence, Abuja (AMCE Abuja), a quaternary-level multi-speciality medical facility founded by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and King’s College Hospital, London, has held its highly anticipated African Health Forum 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.

This represents a big step forward in boosting healthcare collaboration and innovation across the continent.

The forum brought together distinguished industry leaders, healthcare experts, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss major issues confronting the healthcare sector and to explore opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Attendees included H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development; Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank; Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; and H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC.

This event marked the signing of the Equity Investment Term Sheet agreement with the African Finance Corporation (AFC), which will facilitate AFC’s contribution of up to USD$40 million to the construction of the AMCE Abuja.

Furthermore, Afreximbank and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the development of Nigeria’s healthcare sector as part of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains.

 The cooperation will use a USD$1 billion Healthcare Value Chain Programme to help develop world-class medical and health facilities, as well as expand domestic manufacturing of vital pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, vaccines, biologics, and medical consumables.

It would also reduce outbound medical tourism by improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in Nigeria, promoting employment, cultivating a culture of locally driven research and development, and drawing investment into the country’s healthcare value chain.

Attendees were treated to engaging presentations and discussions on a variety of topics affecting healthcare delivery across the continent, including AMCE’s vision and mission, clinical overviews, strategies to reduce healthcare worker tourism, and the power of collaboration in healthcare.

Cultural acts and networking opportunities were also featured during the forum, creating a vibrant atmosphere of discussion and collaboration among attendees.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, stated that the African Medical Centre of Excellence idea was created out of the urgent need to address shortcomings in healthcare facilities, particularly in dealing with non-communicable diseases.

He went on to note that just 48% of Africa’s population has access to vital healthcare services, and that the situation requires immediate attention, saying that this Forum is just one of many initiatives by the Afreximbank Group to underline the importance of the issue.

Oramah further stated that the AMCE Abuja will not only be a hub for cutting-edge research and clinical services but also a training ground for future medical professionals across Africa..

 He also stated that it will be critical in addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and reversing the brain drain of qualified medical professionals.

He went on to say that as the project nears completion, he expects considerable benefits for Africa, including as job creation, greater healthcare access, and more intra-regional medical service commerce.

 According to Prof Omarah, with building underway and operations slated to commence in early 2025, the AMCE Abuja is a beacon of promise for Africa’s healthcare landscape.

He finished by remarking that the AMCE Africa Health Forum provides a venue for stakeholders to build relationships and collaboration, emphasizing the necessity of collective effort in attaining our common objective of a healthier Africa.

Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE Abuja, expressed hope about Africa’s healthcare future, stating that there is an urgent need for a concerted effort to address the severe challenges posed by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria and neighbouring regions.

 He went on to say that the AMCE will play a critical role in this effort, leveraging their experience, resources, and strategic alliances to deploy novel solutions and enhance health outcomes for everybody.

The AMCE project will have a profound impact that will generate approximately 3,000 jobs during both its construction and operational phases.

 Moreover, it will provide prompt, lifesaving detection and management of serious diseases to over 200,000 patients in Nigeria and an additional 150,000 patients from other African countries within its first five years of operation.

Additionally, the project will play a pivotal role in fostering intra-regional trade in medical services and strengthening supply chains in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

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