We hope you and yours are keeping safe and well. As we all know, the world is facing an unprecedented challenge as countries combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on their population and economy. The initial confirmed case in Africa was reported in Cairo, Egypt on February 20th 2020. Since then, almost 20,000 cases resulting in over 1000 deaths are reported from 52 countries and territories in Africa. The impact of the health crisis could be grave given the relative weak health systems in several countries. In addition, the global/local economic shut down has triggered/will trigger an economic crisis in several countries which could also affect the health sector. Most African countries have started to take action including increasing awareness of the disease and relevant hygienic practices, encouraging as much teleworking as possible, limiting community spread by effecting varying levels of lockdowns (both local and international) and closing schools, government offices, non essential businesses etc.
Given that about 60% of health care financing in Africa comes from private sources and almost 50% of total health expenditure goes to private health care, the African private sector can work with governments to ensure that “all” the country’s resources are effectively harnessed in an effective response to the pandemic. Previous pandemics and outbreaks such as Ebola have shown us the need for a timely, integrated response that coordinates efforts across all stakeholders and especially the private health sector.
We are fortunate to be hosting a high level panel of stakeholders across the African private sectors including Dr. Amit Thakker (African Business Federation). Dr. Babatunde Omilola (African Development Bank), Ms. Claire Omatseye (West African Health Federation), Mr. Charles Dalton (International Finance Corporation), Ms Zola Msitya (Board of Healthcare Funders, South Africa) and Ms Zouera Yousoufou (Aliko Dangote Foundation to participate in an upcoming webinar ‘’COVID-19 in Africa: Leveraging the Private Healthcare Sector’’ After the presentation, there will be a moderated discussion, operating under the Chatham House Rule and giving as many as possible in attendance an opportunity to ask questions.
We hope that you, your families, colleagues and friends are staying safe during these challenging times, and we hope you will be able to join us virtually on Wednesday 29th April between 12.00 pm and 1.30 pm (GMT)
Please join us by clicking below. If you do have any questions that you would like any of the specific speakers to address, please include them with your registration. If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Ms Bukayo Hanidu - Bhanidu@anadach.com
PROGRAMME
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Introduction and welcome – Anadach Group
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How do you think the African Private Health Care Sector can be effectively
leveraged in the COVID19 epidemic? How can the private sector be best supported to respond
to the pandemic – Dr. Amit Thakker, African Business Federation (download PPT) and Dr. Katlego Mothudi
, Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa (download PPT)
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Q&A
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What are the lessons for the role of the private sector from the Ebola Epidemic in
Lagos? – Dr. Jide Idris (Former Commissioner of Health, Ministry of Health Lagos State)
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How is the West African Private Health Sector responding to COVID-19? What
are the major challenges? – Mrs. Clare Omatseye, West African Health Federation (download PPT)
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Q&A
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How is AfDB supporting the health sector during this pandemic – focus on private
sector interventions if any? – Dr. Babatunde Omilola , African Development Bank (download PPT)
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How is IFC supporting the African Private Health and Pharmaceutical sector
during the pandemic? Do you expect your investment priorities to change? - Mr. Charles Dalton
,International Finance Corporation, (download PPT)
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As one of the largest philanthropic foundations in Africa, how is ADF supporting
the COVID 19 responses? Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Aliko Dangote Foundation (download PPT)
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Q&A
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Closing – Anadach Group
Dr. Amit Thakker
African Business Federation
A visionary entrepreneur & an industry captain, Dr. Amit N. Thakker, has been been a groundbreaking pioneer in the integration of private sector within the health system in Africa.
He is the Executive Chairman of Africa Health Business, President of Africa Healthcare Federation, Chairman of the Kenya Healthcare Federation and currently serves as a Director with AMREF Flying Doctors (Kenya), LumiraDx & Ghanima Limited
Amit is an active member of several institutions including international business group YPO Gold at the Nairobi Chapter, Chairs the University of Nairobi Alumni Medical Chapter, & sits as an advisor to Eastern Africa Association as well as to Asia Africa Investing & Consulting ltd
Dr Thakker founded Avenue Healthcare, a Kenyan based integrated private health service provider in 1995 which led him to receive the “Best Male Entrepreneur of the year” award by Rotary International in 1999. He also won the “Best CEO” award by Titans Global in the Business & Professional Services category in 2017 & proudly received the Chairman’s Award by Kenya Medical Association in 2004.
Dr. Babatunde Omilola
African Development Bank
Dr. Babatunde Omilola is currently leading the Public Health, Security and Nutrition Division of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
A development economist and international development expert, he previously served as Head of Development Planning and Inclusive Sustainable Growth at UNDP in New York, where he led a team of professionals on development planning, social protection, poverty, inequality, development finance, inclusive growth and the SDGs. He was UNDP’s Regional Practice Leader for poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs for the 23 Eastern and Southern African countries and UNDP’s Chief Economist and Head of Policy and Strategy in South Africa.
Dr. Omilola was Africa-wide Coordinator and Program Leader of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington D.C. He handled the relationship of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the African Union Commission (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was also a research fellow on a collaborative Anti-poverty Programme between the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), AfDB, FAO and the World Bank.
Dr. Omilola has received a number of awards for his work in development. In 2014, he was selected as a Fellow of Comparative Research Programme for preventing and eradicating poverty. He holds an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in International Development and Development Economics respectively from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He won the prestigious Ford Foundation International Fellowship in 2001 and the Graduate Research Fellowship of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada in 2004.
Dr. Katlego Mothudi
Managing Director: Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa (BHF)
Dr. Mothudi is the managing director of the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa (BHF). He currently also serves on the HWSETA board.
He is a qualified medical practitioner with over 21 years’ experience in health care, having held various positions in health care management and strategic leadership positions in both the public and private health care sector. Prior to joining the BHF, he worked at Sizwe Medical Fund, initially as the executive head for operations and clinical services, and then as the principal executive officer.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree, in chemistry and applied chemistry. As a medical doctor he specialised in sports medicine. This afforded him an opportunity to work with various sports organisations and teams caring for athletes in different sporting codes. He has served on several boards and was also a deputy chairman of the Doping Subcommittee of the South African Football Association.
Mrs Clare Omatseye FWACS, FPSN
West African Business Health Federation
Clare Omatseye, is the Founder and Managing Director of the International Award-winning company, JNC International Limited (JNCI) a company she founded 15-years ago. She is also the current President of West African Private Healthcare Federation (WAPHF/FOASPS) with Headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. JNCI is a leading Turnkey Medical Equipment Solutions Company, which exclusively represents 21 Global Medical Equipment Manufacturers.
She is the President of the West Africa Healthcare Federation and pioneer President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a non-profit advocacy group that brings all stakeholders in the Nigerian private health sector under one umbrella with the aim of influencing healthcare policy and practices in the country. Clare is an advocate for healthcare reform and has used her vast 30-year experience in the development of several healthcare policies, public procurement reforms, Public-Private Partnerships and incentives for Private Sector Investments in the Nigerian Health sector.
She also serves as the President of the prestigious Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) and is an Honorary Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), a Senior Fellow of the Nigerian Leadership Academy (SNLI), a Fellow of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), an Associate Member of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), a Member of the Society of Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN) and a Member, WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers).
She sits on the Board of several reputable organizations as an Independent Director of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), a Director of Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, Director, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), Director, LEAP Africa and Chairman of the Board, Vaccipharm Limited, a cold chain Vaccines, Pharma & Medical consumables distribution company that she also founded in 1999.
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CHARLES DALTON
Senior Health Specialist, International Finance Corporation
Charles has more than 30 years of operational and strategic management experience in public, private and health insurance settings and has applied this knowledge in both emerging and developing markets around the world. His expertise and experience range from designing and evaluating investment opportunities in the private health sector through to "whole health system design" and implementation of policy/ strategy. He has a practical understanding of challenges facing health systems in emerging markets and the opportunities presented for relevant and sustainable public-private collaboration as well as insight to the nuances of successful private health business growth in emerging markets. He currently assesses all health service investments for IFC globally including all in Africa for the last 6 years.
Ms. Zouera Youssoufou
Managing Director/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation
Zouera Youssoufou is the Managing Director/CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the largest private Foundation on Africa, based in Lagos. In this role, she leads the Foundation’s efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education and economic empowerment outcomes for the needy, primarily in Nigeria and in Africa. Zouera is responsible for the Foundation’s short, medium and long term strategies, provides overall management oversight for the Foundation, and provides support on Social Investments to the Corporate Dangote Group. She sits on several Boards including SE4All, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, ONE Global Leadership Circle, Center for the Strategic Studies on Africa, and ABC Health. As of March 2020, Zouera coordinates the Secretariat of CACOVID, the Nigerian Private sector coalition against Covid-19.
Prior to joining ADF, Zouera was the World Bank Country Manager for Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tomé and Principe. As such, she was the front-line person in the relationship with all three Governments and conducted day-to-day dialogue with all levels of Government, donors and civil society. Prior to this, Zouera spent 6 years at the International Finance Corporation (private sector arm of the World Bank Group), where she led the Global Women in Business Program (WIN). In that role, she was responsible for creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the developing world, specifically in Access to Finance. Zouera joined the World Bank Group in 2005 from Citigroup’s Smith Barney unit in New York and Atlanta where she covered emerging markets and 13 industry sectors as an Equity Research Analyst. Her previous experiences include working with the European Union on private sector development issues, and management consulting with Deloitte in Ghana.
Zouera holds an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BBA in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Isenberg School of Business. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Hausa. She is married, with a son and a daughter.
Dr. Jide Idris
Former Commissioner of Health, Ministry of Health Lagos State
Dr. Olajide Idris is the immediate past Commissioner for Health for Lagos State. He was responsible for health care planning, health policy formulation, implementation as well as supervising health service delivery in the state.
Under his leadership, initially as Permanent Secretary and then the Chief Executive, a position he has held for three terms, the Lagos State’s Health system has been significantly upgraded, through a comprehensive Health Sector Reform agenda covering systems reorganization, human resource development, infrastructural development, revitalization of the primary care system, healthcare financing, health promotion and disease prevention activities.
Dr. Idris has over 30 years' experience in Medical Practice, Healthcare Systems Management, Consulting, Pharmaceutical and Research.
He attended the highly respected King’s College, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a graduate of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, obtained his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Yale University, Connecticut, USA. , and was a post-doctoral research fellow at the Columbia University, New York, USA.
Dr. Idris led the Lagos State response team in mobilizing the resources, coordinating the collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria and other International partners in containing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria in 2014. He midwifed the implementation of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme and the State’s Biosecurity Agenda.
He is a member of the American Public Health Association, a Board member, University of Ibadan Research Foundation as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.
Q: Just recently we heard in the news that Senegal has developed a test kit for COVID. I am wondering why the level of testing in Senegal is not higher especially since a lot of people are asking that perhaps Nigeria should purchase these kits.
A: Please see below for more information on the test kit developed in Senegal. In terms of testing, Senegal is a smaller country and has done fewer tests than Nigeria – however at the time of the comparison – Senegal (446/million) had done over 8 times as many tests per million population when compared to Nigeria (53/million). But please note this does not take into account any differences in the incidence, spread, population distribution or type of test.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/senegal-10-minute-coronavirus-test-1-200327053901231.html
Q: What is the treatment protocol for symptomatic COVID-19 patients in Nigeria?
A：Please refer to the NCDC guidelines at https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/guidelines.php
Q: What steps are Health & Finance Ministers taking to increase National Budgets for Health and Agricultural and Food Production?
A: Unfortunately, we had no public sector speaker(s) during the session, so we are not able to respond accordingly. We suggest you check out other source information including the ECA meeting with Ministers of Finance -
Q: Can we get a breakdown of each country's affliction rate and success rate?
A: Please be informed that this information is provided by Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) on twitter daily.
Q: Funding options. How have they changed post-COVID? Can you predict what changes healthcare delivery will look like in LMIC after this pandemic?
A: Funding:
In the short term the challenge for many services providers will be liquidity and working capital. The entity’s underlying financial profile—for example, did they already have cash flow issues before COVID—and country nuances such as the length and nature of the lockdown, will impact their financial performance and funding requirement. We envisage a
period of +/- 12 months where working capital support will be required. Thereafter (hopefully) markets should return to normal. It is likely that during this period of uncertainty some larger capital projects may be put on hold and taken up again towards the end of 2020.
Healthcare Delivery:
Governments place more emphasis on health system strengthening and coordination. This includes more robust approaches to working with the private sector.
Continuing willingness to embrace new models of delivery (for example, telemedicine) while examining how this can now be fully embedded into service delivery models.
Private models moving towards systems and not silos. For example, hospitals integrating with clinics and diagnostics providers to help coordinate care better.
Greater emphasis on social and private insurance. A steady reduction in out-of- pocket dependency.
A gradual move away from fee-for-service payment models in favor of financing models more based on improved value for money, including payment based on outcomes measurement.
Q: How should government provide an enabling environment for the private sector participation?
A：By establishing formal mechanisms for private sector engagement. As the custodian of a country’s health services, governments can help identify the role expected to be played by the private health sector. This could be direct support to the public sector or a strengthening of pure private-focused model serving an insured population. Engagement with private health federations should be highly advantageous assuming the risk of vested interests are removed.
Q：What are the investment opportunities for impact investors in health sectors?
A： To support companies as they respond to the five areas of change in how health care is delivered highlighted in question number 1. Also, to support sustainable business models that can help with prevention or early diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Finally, to advance the uptake of relevant technology to bring down costs, improve quality, or expand access to services.
Q: The private sector’s role in Africa’s fragile states?
A: The private sector in all forms—not-for-profit, for-profit, small and medium-sized enterprises—has a role to play in fragile states. In most fragile states in Africa, the private sector is still in its infancy. Linking to response 2 above, it is important to support governments in establishing clear strategies for their health system and confirming the role to be played by the private sector.
The private sector’s role encompasses appropriately designed services that align with ability-to-pay considerations. Those entities with the right business models have the potential to expand access to critical services addressing both communicable and non-communicable disease challenges.
For IFC, in addition to making investments, we expect to make a difference by promoting high quality care and ethical practices. We have developed an advisory service—the IQ-Health Care Tool— for those institutions wishing to integrate process and quality improvement into their businesses, particularly in low-resource countries where government is stretched or doesn’t have the capacity to set or monitor standards. Furthermore, we recently launched the Ethical Principles in Health Care (EPiHC) initiative that we encourage the private sector to support and join.