As part of efforts to address the healthcare disparities across Africa, the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Arup, and WaterAid, has launched a comprehensive guide aimed at transforming healthcare infrastructure on the continent.
This initiative was unveiled during the first anniversary of the UNOPS Regional Office for Africa, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024.
The Guidance for Developing Inclusive Health Infrastructure provides practical strategies to ensure equitable access to health services, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity.
The African Development Bank has long recognized the significant disparities in healthcare infrastructure across the continent, especially in rural areas where health services are often underdeveloped and of poor quality.
The Regional Director for UNOPS Africa, Dalila Gonçalves described the publication as a critical resource for governments, healthcare planners, and other stakeholders seeking to develop inclusive and sustainable healthcare systems.
She stressed the importance of these guidelines in addressing the urgent infrastructure gaps that hinder the delivery of quality health services in many African countries.
Hendrina Doroba, Head of the Education and Skills Development Division for the East Africa region at AfDB, spoke at the launch, emphasizing the Bank’s role in bridging the healthcare infrastructure gap.
She explained how the Bank’s financial expertise and partnerships with development agencies enable it to support national plans aimed at strengthening health systems.
Doroba was joined by the Chief Health Analyst at the Bank’s East Africa regional office, Peter Ogwang who underscored the importance of these collaborative efforts in addressing health challenges.
The publication categorizes health infrastructure into three strategic areas, aligned with the Bank’s approach to meeting the diverse healthcare needs of African nations:
- Primary Healthcare Infrastructure – Targeted for underserved populations, this includes development of comprehensive healthcare facilities connected to vital services such as water, sanitation, energy, transport, and communication.
- Advanced Medical Systems – Investment in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities with specialized centers, especially for the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like cancer, dialysis, and pain management.
- Diagnostic Infrastructure – The guide calls for innovative delivery models, including public-private partnerships, to overcome the diagnostic bottlenecks faced across the continent.
