Nigerians await the imminent launch of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, as Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class healthcare by 2025. The $1 billion partnership between the Federal Government and Afreximbank signals a transformative leap forward for Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
Oramah’s announcement at the inaugural Africa Health Forum underscores the project’s progress, with construction surpassing the halfway mark. Anticipated to generate approximately 3,000 jobs, the AMCE promises to revolutionize healthcare delivery, offering lifesaving treatments to over 200,000 Nigerians and 150,000 patients from neighboring African nations within its initial five years.
The facility’s scope extends beyond patient care, aiming to bolster intra-regional trade in medical services and fortify supply chains in the pharmaceutical sector. Designed as a beacon of medical excellence, the 500-bed hospital will specialize in oncology, hematology, cardiology, and general healthcare services, catering to the continent’s pressing healthcare needs.
With Nigeria’s staggering $2 billion annual expenditure on medical tourism, particularly for heart, kidney, and cancer treatments, the AMCE emerges as a beacon of hope, poised to alleviate the strain on the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Oramah emphasizes that the initiative addresses the urgent imperative of combating non-communicable diseases, projected to eclipse infectious diseases by 2030.
In tandem with the AMCE initiative, the signing of a $1 billion memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Afreximbank and the Federal Ministry of Health marks a pivotal milestone in fortifying Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC) aims to enhance domestic manufacturing of essential pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical consumables, thereby reducing reliance on imports and promoting health security.
Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, underscores the program’s multifaceted approach, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and elevate Nigeria’s global healthcare standing. Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the AMCE’s pivotal role in meeting regional healthcare demands and fostering socio-economic development.
As Nigeria charts a course towards healthcare resilience and self-sufficiency, the AMCE initiative embodies a collective vision for a healthier, more prosperous future for all Africans.
