The African Medical Centre of Excellence, Abuja (AMCE Abuja) recently concluded its African Health Forum 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in advancing healthcare collaboration and innovation across the continent. The forum brought together esteemed industry leaders, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss critical issues facing the healthcare sector and to explore avenues for collaboration and progress.
During the forum, the Equity Investment Term Sheet agreement was signed with African Finance Corporation (AFC) to facilitate the commitment of up to USD$40 million from AFC towards the development of the AMCE Abuja. Additionally, an MoU was signed between Afreximbank and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the development of Nigeria’s healthcare sector under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC).
Furthermore, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Benedict Oramah, expressed the urgent need to address the inadequacies in healthcare facilities, particularly in dealing with non-communicable diseases. The AMCE Abuja will not only serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and clinical services, but also as a training ground for future medical professionals across Africa, playing a pivotal role in tackling the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and reversing the brain drain of qualified medical personnel.
Reflecting on the success of the African Health Forum 2024, Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE Abuja, expressed optimism about the future of healthcare in Africa, stating that the AMCE stands ready to play a pivotal role in implementing innovative solutions and improving health outcomes for all.
The project is anticipated to generate approximately 3,000 jobs during both its construction and operational phases and 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.
The AMCE Abuja, developed by Afreximbank in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, London, aims to revolutionize healthcare in Africa by providing world-class care through innovative research, development, and education. It is set to commence operations in early 2025, with the primary goal of curbing medical tourism by offering advanced procedures and state-of-the-art treatments for various diseases.
The vision for the AMCE initiative is to shape a healthier and more educated future for Africa, providing employment opportunities across medical and non-medical sectors. Overall, the African Health Forum 2024 reaffirmed the commitment to advancing healthcare excellence across the continent and the urgent need for collective action to address pressing challenges in the healthcare sector.
