President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his administration’s strong commitment to providing excellent healthcare facilities for all Nigerians and continuing to prioritize domestic and foreign direct investments in the sector.
These remarks were made by the president during a meeting with the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Benedict Oramah, accompanied by a delegation from King’s College Hospital, London (KCH).
President Tinubu expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership between Afreximbank and KCH London to establish a top-notch healthcare facility in Abuja, known as Africa Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), which is set to be completed by 2025.
”We appreciate this significant step towards investing in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. This facility is a significant commitment to humanity. We are willing to assist this project in every possible way,” Tinubu stated.
”Africa is in need, and Nigeria is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of its people. Prioritizing healthcare is prioritizing the welfare of the people. The training and development of our people are our main concerns, and we thank KCH, renowned for its global reputation, for partnering with us.
”Out of every five black individuals, one is Nigerian. We are working against time to fulfill our obligations to our people. This project will further reinforce our long-term vision for the healthcare of our people. We are committed to achieving success, and we will do whatever is necessary to support this project,” he added.
President Tinubu, recently appointed the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, stressed that the continent cannot afford to lag behind in the quality and accessibility of its healthcare system.
He urged Afreximbank to continue its commitment to investing in projects that will ensure Africa has the expertise and resources to meet its healthcare needs.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, outlined that the bank and KCH are collaborating on establishing a medical and nursing school alongside AMCE, in line with the government’s commitment to expanding the training of healthcare professionals in the country.
”Your Excellency, you’ll remember that in October 2023, you approved an initiative to unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and appointed a coordinator. We have identified various work streams over the last few months,” Pate mentioned.
”I am pleased to announce that today, we signed an MOU with the President of Afreximbank for a $1 billion facility to finance a credit and equity contribution pool for private sector investors interested in investing in Nigeria’s health sector value chain,” he continued.
Mr. Oramah, the Nigerian-born President of the Bank, a professor, reiterated the Vank’s commitment to developing quality health infrastructure on the continent, reducing medical tourism out of Africa, promoting intra-Africa trade, and creating jobs in the country and continent.
Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 21, 2024