Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has announced that it has awarded a grant to Nigeria’s Lily Hospitals Limited for a feasibility study to support the refurbishment and operation of 10 healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
These facilities, located in multiple urban hubs across the country, will serve up to 25,000 patients annually.
Lily Hospitals has also selected Maryland-based Anadach Consulting Group, LLC, to conduct the study.
Speaking on this, Mr Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director, said promoting access to quality healthcare services is a top priority for USTDA in Nigeria.
“Our partnership with Lily will provide the company with the necessary analysis to make informed decisions in support of its healthcare delivery priorities. At the same time, USTDA’s engagement will help create opportunities for U.S. companies to supply the technologies and services that these healthcare facilities will require.”
It was disclosed that USTDA’s study would assess and recommend the most suitable healthcare facilities for Lily to refurbish and integrate into its existing network of facilities.
The project will increase access to modern, quality healthcare systems at a lower cost and in a shorter timeframe than commissioning and constructing new healthcare facilities.
On his part, Dr Austin Okogun, Lily’s CEO, said that the USTDA grant is very timely and will help make health accessible while contributing to the economy.
“It supports our expansion strategy of reactivating underperforming healthcare facilities. This will revitalize neighbourhoods, create employment opportunities, support investment, and contribute to economic growth.”
“This project will allow more healthcare professionals to contribute to their communities while offering partnerships and franchise opportunities to medical and related clinical experts.
“It will also offer opportunities for US companies to supply the high-quality technologies that these facilities will require. Above all else, we are committed to improving access to good quality and affordable care to Nigerians,” he said.
On the part of the Nigerian government, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, commented that – “[USTDA’s grantees] will be equipped with more tools to develop their programs, be it as top-notch cancer treatment centres 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 US experience in healthcare and build lasting partnerships that improve national and global health.”
USTDA announced grant funding for Lily’s feasibility study at the US Embassy in Abuja, where the Agency announced three new grant activities to advance healthcare access in Nigeria and across Africa.
USTDA’s assistance to Lily advances one of the key pillars of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which aims to strengthen global health security through investments in patient-centred health services.
The project also advances the US government’s Prosper Africa initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the US and Africa.
