Nigeria (Commonwealth Union)_ The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) declared that it has granted funds totaling $3 million to three Nigerian healthcare enterprises in the nation. These facilities are Lily Hospitals Limited, Cedarcrest Hospitals Limited, and Mobihealthcare Limited. According to Enoh T. Ebong, the director of USTDA, the agency’s primary objective is to promote access to excellent healthcare services in Nigeria.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigerian Health Minister, expressed optimism over the partnership with USTDA. “[USTDA’s grantees] will be equipped with more tools to develop their programs, be it as top-notch cancer treatment centers or other related services that address urgent healthcare needs in our country. A closer relationship with USTDA will also allow recipient organizations to draw on highly valued U.S experience in healthcare and build lasting partnerships that improve national and global health,” he said.
Under the initiative, Lily Hospitals received $1 million for a feasibility study to assist the renovation and operation of ten healthcare institutions in Nigeria. These clinics, based in several urban centers around the nation, will serve as many as 25,000 patients every year. Lily hired Anadach Consulting Group, LLC in Maryland to undertake the research. The research conducted by USTDA will evaluate and propose the most appropriate healthcare facilities for Lily to renovate and incorporate into its current network of facilities.
Cedarcrest Hospitals Limited was also granted $1 million to conduct a feasibility study for the development of an extensive cancer treatment facility in Abuja that would treat nearly 1,000 patients annually. Cedarcrest chose Utopian Consulting, LLC in Ohio to do the research. The research conducted by USTDA will give Cedarcrest the necessary analysis to plan and construct a complete cancer treatment facility that will increase access to all kinds of oncology treatments.
The remaining $1 million was granted to Mobihealthcare Limited for a feasibility study to assist the growth of its telehealth services beyond Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt. This joint endeavor will assist increase access to healthcare for 100,000 Africans annually. For each of the four nations, the USTDA will conduct a comprehensive market analysis, financial analysis, and legal and regulatory analysis as part of its investigation. The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) and USTDA are partnering to support Mobihealth project’s development and finance.
