Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division, Access Bank Plc, says the private sector is crucial in driving innovative financing models and strategic partnerships to bridge the healthcare investment gap in Nigeria.
In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Opara was quoted as having said this at the 2024 Medic West Africa event, organised by ABCHealth in collaboration with Informa Markets.
The event was a platform for stakeholders across industries to deliberate on the theme “Healthcare Investments in Africa: Mobilising the Private Sector to Drive Healthcare Investments in Africa.”
It was aimed at charting a path through which corporates could leverage innovative financing models and strategic partnerships to foster the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussions also explored strategies for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, leveraging technological advancements, and enhancing community health initiatives.
Opara reaffirmed Access Bank’s commitment to fostering positive transformation in healthcare across Africa.
Speaking at the event, he said that, “The government can’t carry the burden of the health sector alone.
Hence, it is imperative that the private sector explore and implement innovative financing models and strategic partnerships to bridge the healthcare investment gap.”
Opara said collaborative effort between the public and private sectors were crucial and essential to driving innovation, improving healthcare accessibility, and ensuring sustainable development across Africa.
Some notable participants at the event included Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth; Jane Ike-Okoli, Head of Specialised Sectors Business & Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC and Odunayo Sanyo, Executive Director, MTN Foundation;
Others were Ibironke Akinmade, Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank and Zouera Youssoufou, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Demonstrating its commitment to partnership, Access Bank has partnered with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), to launch the Adopt-A-Health Facility Program (ADHFP).
ADHFP’s primary aim is delivery of at least, one global standard Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
So far, the initiative has resulted into over 180 PHCs adopted across the country.