Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, February 6, 2024 — To improve access to healthcare services for millions of people in Côte d'Ivoire, IFC signed two agreements to help the government structure and implement public-private partnerships (PPPs) for affordable, high-quality laboratory and imaging services at 14 hospitals in the country.
As lead transaction advisor, IFC will work with Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Health to design, structure, and competitively contract two PPPs for laboratory and imaging services in 14 public hospitals in the Abidjan and Abengourou regions, home to a combined 6.7 million people. The private partners who win the bids will design, build, equip, finance, operate, and maintain the laboratory and imaging services.
Once completed, the projects will increase access to world-class diagnostic services, supporting the early detection of medical conditions, more effective treatment, and improved patient outcomes, especially for women, children and the poor. These projects could be expanded to other parts of Côte d'Ivoire in the future.
As the first-ever "hybrid PPP" model in healthcare, the project will be funded by both private-sector financing and concessional financing from the World Bank and the Global Financing Facility (GFF), a country-led partnership hosted by the World Bank that supports countries to strengthen their health systems, with a focus on women, children, and adolescents.
"The Government of Côte d'Ivoire is committed to developing health infrastructure to provide quality health services in both the rural and urban areas of the country," said Pierre Dimba, Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d'Ivoire. "We are delighted to partner with IFC, the World Bank, and GFF to tap into private sector capital and expertise to develop public diagnostics infrastructure and provide low-cost yet high-quality health services. The project will move us closer to our goal of achieving universal health coverage for our people, especially in maternal and child health."
"Increasing access to quality imaging and laboratory services is vital to ensuring quality and timely healthcare delivery, which is critical to social and economic development," said Josiane Kwenda, IFC Country Manager for Côte d'Ivoire. "IFC is pleased to support the government of Côte d'Ivoire in its efforts to improve the availability and quality of imaging and lab services through private financing and expertise, helping to release constrained public funds to support other areas in the health sector."
In addition to IFC's PPP advisory services' support, the project is embedded within a World Bank operation linked to the National Health Insurance Program.
"This innovative public-private partnership represents a timely investment in Côte d'Ivoire's pursuit of universal health coverage for its population. Moreover, it aligns perfectly with the World Bank's commitment to mitigating risks associated with private sector investments in areas that have traditionally lacked private sector interest. This presents a significant opportunity for the private sector to contribute to strengthening the health system and positively impact the lives of the Ivorian population." said Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, World Bank Country Director for Côte d'Ivoire.
Currently, access to quality healthcare is limited in Côte d'Ivoire. Imaging and laboratory services, face a severe shortage in diagnostic and imaging equipment, along with poor equipment maintenance and a lack of trained healthcare workers.
The World Bank Health, Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (ECD) program is co-financed by a grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF), Early Learning Partnership, and the Global Fund, to strengthen and expand access to quality health, nutrition, and ECD services— particularly for women, children, and poor populations in select regions of Cote D'Ivoire.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org
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