Healthcare - Afrikan Heroes

GE Healthcare and the Association of Medical Engineering of Kenya host more than 100 biomedical engineers for Biomedical Excellence Day

August 9, 2019

More than 100 biomedical engineers from the public and private sectors across the country participated with best practices on maintenance emphasized during the training; the training aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Big Four agenda pillar on capacity building for Universal Health Coverage

GE Healthcare today hosted the first “Biomedical Excellence Day” in Kenya during which more than 100 biomedical engineers were trained by local and international experts. The engineers were drawn from both government and private health centers from across Kenya’s 47 counties. The training was organized in partnership with the Association of Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK) and held in Nairobi.

AMEK is a professional association registered under CAP 108 of the laws of Kenya and boasts of approximately 2000 members currently.

The objective of the Biomedical Excellence Day was to provide biomedical engineers with the latest information and knowledge on the use of advanced medical equipment. The full-day event also provided a platform for knowledge sharing to foster best practices in the maintenance of healthcare systems.

Topics covered included Medical Equipment Lifecycle management and upgrades, Navigation through CT Technology, Code of Conduct for Medical Engineers, among other topics.

“As a leader in the healthcare sector, we believe that in order to provide sustainability of healthcare solutions, training programs for healthcare professionals need up-dating to remain relevant to their practice and to reflect advances in healthcare innovations,” said Andrew Waititu, Managing Director of GE Healthcare East Africa. “The Biomedical Excellence Day reinforces our commitment to support continuous training for healthcare professionals and support the Universal Health Coverage agenda.”

In June 2016, GE Healthcare launched a US $13 million Healthcare Skills and Training Institute in Kenya in collaboration with the government to promote the training of biomedical engineers and other healthcare workers as part of the Managed Equipment Services (MES) project.

This is driving capacity and capability building as a priority for sustainable development of the healthcare sector in Kenya. To date, over 1600 professionals have been trained.

“Training in the latest medical technologies is critical for Biomedical Engineering professionals to efficiently provide quality Healthcare technology management to Kenyans through treatment, consultation, diagnosis, monitoring, administration, equipment preventive maintenance, surgery among other services.

We appreciate GE Healthcare for organizing the Biomedical Excellence Day which aligns with our motto of “Strengthening healthcare technology through appropriate technology” as it bridges the skills gaps within our fraternity.” Eng. Millicent Alooh, Secretary-General, AMEK

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

GE Healthcare and Access Bank Partner to Provide Financing to Nigeria’s Healthcare Providers

July 28, 2019

Access Bank and GE Healthcare are to provide sustainable healthcare equipment financing to private healthcare providers; The partnership will help the private healthcare providers to deliver access to affordable healthcare services.

GE Healthcare and Access Bank Nigeria have entered into a partnership to provide Nigeria’s Private Healthcare Providers with equipment financing. Under the partnership, borrowers will be able to secure loans of up to $800,000 negotiable, based on the customer requirement.

Access Bank will provide access to loans for eligible healthcare providers, while GE Healthcare will support the program through the provision of GE healthcare equipment and technical support. The equipment under the partnership scope includes Imaging Solutions including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound Machines and Life Care Solutions.

Borrowers which qualify for loans include private healthcare providers such as hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and other private practices offering a broad array of services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Eyong Ebai, General Manager for GE Healthcare West, Central & French Sub-Saharan Africa said, “We are committed to investing in Public and Private Partnerships that innovate new delivery models that will improve access to affordable and quality patient outcomes, as we progress towards Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Our partnership with Access Bank will help lift the financial burden off the healthcare providers.”

Earlier this year, GE Healthcare rolled out a similar initiative in partnership with Medical Credit Fund to provide Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with financing for healthcare equipment.

“There is a need to provide innovative financing models for healthcare providers especially in the private sector, who currently face challenges accessing financing for the purchase of healthcare equipment due to the risk associated with the business.

As a financing institution, we are committed to providing financing at both the health-service-provider level and at health-service-consumer levels to ensure that the people of Nigeria have all they need to live healthy lives.” Said Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO Access Bank.

Access Bank was earlier this year recognized for the second time as the ‘Outstanding Healthcare SME-Friendly Bank of the Year’ at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) 2019.

The need to provide affordable healthcare in Nigeria is key to the development of the Nigerian Healthcare sector. Even as the World Health Organisation has identified UHC as a unifying concept and goal for the Government as they strengthen their health systems and discharge their obligations under the right to health.

GE Healthcare and Access bank scheme were therefore born out of the necessity to provide the needed support to the Nigerian Healthcare environs, by providing healthcare finance at affordable rates and longer tenor.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Private Healthcare Sector in South Africa Explore Opportunities, Networks

July 25, 2019

The private healthcare sector of South Africa met recently at the Cape Town International Conference Centre to explore ways of collaboration and networking aimed at improving services across a wider clientele base, and also to get abreast with technology and the fast-changing health landscape.

The event took place under the hospice of the Dr. Precious Matsoso (Director-General, Department of Health South Africa), Dr. Amit N. Thakker (President, Africa Healthcare Federation) and the leadership of Prof. Morgan Chetty (Chairman, IPAF), healthcare leaders convened for the launch of the Healthcare Federation of South Africa (HFSA).

L-R Prof. Khama Rogo (World Bank), Dr. Amit N. Thakker (AHF), Dr. Evelyn Rotich (CEC Health Kenya), Dr. Precious Matsoso (Dept. of Health South Africa), Ms. Zola Mtshiya (BHF), Prof. Morgan Chetty (IPAF) and Dr. Katlego Mothudi (BHF) during the launch of HFSA

“It is time to recognize the critical role the private-sector providers and other actors can and must play,” said Dr. Matsoso. “The private healthcare federation is a formalized platform of all health-care stakeholders to facilitate public-private dialogue and this must be a partnership and not a private solution to a public problem,” she said.

Dr. Amit Thakker, President of Africa Healthcare Federation and Chair of Kenyan Healthcare Federation emphasized how the unified voice has helped build trust between the government and private sector through continuous public-private dialogue at the regularly held County Stakeholder Forums (CSF), Ministerial Stakeholder Forums (MSF) and the bi-annual Presidential Round Tables (PRT).

This has helped to better map the increasing role of the private health sector as well as spur healthcare investments in the country.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.