CAMEROON – The Cameroonian Government has secured a US$12M grant from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to finance the construction of the Mbalmayo Regional Hospital Project, the Saudi Arabian government agency said on its website.
SFD Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad signed the agreement on behalf of the Saudi Arabian government agency while Alamine Ousmane Mey who is the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development signed on behalf of the Cameroonian Government.
SFD CEO Al Marshad disclosed that the project will be co-financed by the Saud Fundi for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) with a total value of US$38.8 million.
Mr. Al Marshad further said that the hospital construction project will provide the necessary support for basic infrastructure services thus enabling society members to access all their daily needs to improve their social and economic living conditions.
In addition, the signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Abdulrahman Alzaben, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Cameroon together with several officials from both nations.
Since 1977, SFD has provided — in addition to this agreement — development loans to finance nine (9) projects in Cameroon amounting to USD 109 million to enhance the growth and prosperity of the infrastructure, water, transportation, education, and health sector to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Saudi Fund for Development has invested up to US$12M in building and equipping the new Cameroonian hospital with a capacity of 200 medical beds and development of specialized medical departments, centers and buildings spanning a total area of 14,000 m2.
The hospital construction project will also include an area for operational services covering up to 8,500 m2 and a helicopter landing pad for medical emergencies along with the rehabilitation of the road that connects the hospital to the national road to ensure easy access to the hospital.
Under the deal, the healthcare facility will be fully furnished and equipped with electricity, water and sewage facilities in a bid to support ongoing government efforts to alleviate overcrowding in Yaoundé and Douala hospitals.
The new healthcare facility is expected to serve thousands of people from the Cameroonian capital and neighboring cities and villages by providing access to quality healthcare services, addressing high rates of chronic disease and reducing mortality rates.
CEO of the Saud Fundi for Development Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad stressed that the project is of great importance to safeguarding Cameroon’s future and ensuring the development of its burgeoning and thriving sectors.
Mr Al Marshad lauded the efforts exerted by both Saudi Arabia and Cameroon for more than 40 years to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that since 1977, SFD has provided development loans to finance nine projects in Cameroon.
At the same time, Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey acknowledged the important role played by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through SFD, in supporting development projects and improving the health sector in Cameroon.
Minister Mey emphasized the importance of the developmental relationship with the SFD over the past decades, adding that the Mbalmayo Regional Hospital project will be offering greater access to quality care and modern, specialized medical centers to benefit people and communities across Cameroon.
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