By SA'AH SIONA IKEI
Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group (UBA) and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has called for a unified front, stating that it is crucial for ensuring a healthy future, not just for Africa but for the world at large. This took place at the Abu Dhabi Health Forum.
Renowned for his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavors, Elumelu with a keen eye on the vast potential and challenges within the healthcare sector, highlighted the gaping void that demands innovative solutions and unwavering support. "I invest in healthcare businesses in Africa – I see the daily challenges – and opportunities in healthcare in Africa. We run clinics and one of the largest HMOs in Nigeria. We want to democratize access to healthcare," he proclaimed, underscoring his firsthand experience and commitment to the cause.
His vision, however, extends far beyond the confines of early-stage entrepreneurs and companies. He recognizes the pivotal role that major pharmaceutical giants must play in this collective endeavor. "Big pharma also has a role to play here. To ensure a sustainable health future for all, there is a need to review the current patent system and effect reforms while still incentivizing innovation. There also needs to be incentives for big pharma to partner on R&D for diseases from lower-income countries. Incentives for investing in R&D and manufacturing facilities for big pharma in developing countries are also important — so leveraging the global trade system is also an important element of global health equality," he asserted, advocating for a holistic approach that fosters collaboration and addresses systemic challenges.
But Elumelu's foresight doesn't stop there. He understands that the path to healthcare progress in Africa is inextricably linked to accessible and affordable power. "We need to work innovatively across social sectors to achieve results. A high percentage of healthcare facilities in Africa do not have a reliable power supply (I think it's around 40%) — without power, the health outcomes will be low. During the COVID pandemic, this was a major problem, as isolation wards had no power, it was also a challenge to store vaccines sent to the continent. The global renewable energy sector, both thermal and hydro energy sectors should step in to address this massive energy deficiency in Africa to realize health outcomes in Africa," he emphasized, recognizing the interdependence of various sectors in achieving sustainable healthcare solutions.
Moreover, the chairman drew attention to the intricate connection between climate change and healthcare delivery. "We hear so much about available climate financing for renewable energy projects, as well as climate change adaptation and resilience projects — but what about unlocking climate funding for healthcare delivery as well — particularly on the margins where climate change is leading to new diseases, or diseases appearing in place they were not seen before. As healthcare issues are becoming more severe due to climate change, how can climate funds be accessed to address healthcare as well?" he inquired, challenging the global community to explore innovative financing mechanisms that address the multifaceted challenges at hand.
Concluding, he implored developed nations and global corporations to forge partnerships with Africa, and invest heavily in a sector that holds the key to a brighter, healthier future for all.
By Sa'ah Siona Ikei,
Creative Storyteller.
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