By John Okeke
The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors African Export-Import Bank, Prof. Benedict Oramah has stated that the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) headquartered in Abuja is expected to start operations in 2025.
It could be recalled that the journey towards the establishment of the AMCE Abuja began about 8 years ago .
Oramah disclosed this in Abuja on Friday during the Signing Ceremony of the Host Country Agreement for the African Medical Centre of Excellence .
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama represented Nigerian side during the signing ceremony while Prof. Benedict Oramah represented African Export-Import Bank.
“It is our expectation that the AMCE will open its doors to the first set of patients in January 2025.”
He said once operational, the AMCE Abuja will offer a full spectrum of medical services diagnostics, inpatient and outpatient in oncology, hematology, cardio-vascular and general healthcare services including trauma and emergency services as well as other essential services including training, residential, hospitality and retail.
According to him, the project will provide direct employment for over 1500 persons including clinical and non-clinical personnel.
” Further downstream, with the establishment of the AMCE in Abuja, a secondary market will result in 1,300 additional jobs created as a result of increased exports of goods and services i.e., transportation, hotels and other tourism related activities,” he said.
He revealed that the initial capital outlay for the first phase of the AMCE Abuja is projected at US$300 million, adding “The investment is expected to rise to about US$750 million, upon full development, making the facility by a significant distance the single largest private healthcare investment in Nigeria and Africa in general.”
He said the success of the AMCE Abuja will pave the way for attracting future investments and partnership arrangements within the health sector on the continent.
“It will also raise the local standards of healthcare delivery as well as provide a blueprint for quality of services required to address Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare and related challenges,” he said.
He said,” I am pleased to inform you that the construction of the AMCE Abuja is currently underway with Cappa & D’Alberto as the design and build contractor and Nairda as the MEP contractor. We have spared no efforts in partnerships. KCH London is a shareholder and lead clinical partner. They are joined by Christie’s oncology hospital, Manchester. University of Wisconsin Teaching Hospital will be supporting on the training side. Shareholders who have joined us in Nigeria include NNPC, Bank of Industry and General Electric. Architects are world class Dar-Al-Handasah/Perkins & Will, who designed John Hopkins Teaching Hospital. Project Managers are Bovell Ross.”
He stressed that across Africa, there is a reported shortage of qualified healthcare workers, and this is even more severe for NCDs that require specialist clinical and diagnostic skills.
He added,”the signing of the Host Country Agreement between the Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria today, is a laudable and momentous occasion for us all.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama lauded the commitment of the
African Export-Import Bank to build a world class hospital in Abuja and promised the government willingness to assist them in any capacity to actualise the project.
Others that graced the occasion are the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Minister of state for health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama among others.
