To improve the management and monitoring of the projects it finances or co-finances in Madagascar, the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) conducted a two-day training for Malagasy government officials involved in the supervision of these tasks.

The workshop, held on 11 and 12 June 2024, in Antananarivo, brought together Malagasy project managers, including administrative and finance officers, and representatives from the Bank Group’s Public Debt Directorate.

Organised jointly by the Bank’s Country Office in Madagascar and its Disbursements Department, the workshop focused on the Bank’s disbursement rules and procedures, with a view to improving expenditure performance for Bank-financed projects.

Abdoulaye Kane, head of the Disbursements Department in the Bank’s Financial Control team, stated, “The aim of the workshop, which was to build the capacity of the management units responsible for projects funded by the Bank Group, was achieved. Understanding the procedures will improve the quality of the documentation sent to the Bank.” He added that the improved documentation quality will enable faster processing and enhance Madagascar’s capacity to absorb funding from the Bank Group.

Mandimbisoa Heriniaina, an accountant responsible for reviewing project disbursement requests in the Bank Group’s Public Debt Directorate, lauded the training approach and clarity of the answers provided. “We are committed to making good use of the training results, which should improve the quality of the documents we send to the Bank,” Heriniaina said.

Rahaniraka Haingotiana, Head of Madagascar’s External Aid and Debt Department, thanked the Bank Group for the quality of the training, and expressed satisfaction that project management units are now equipped to produce high-quality documentation that will aid faster disbursement of project financing. “We recommend that these courses are run regularly,” she added. 

Adam Amoumoun, Head of the African Development Bank’s Country Office in Madagascar, said: “This course will improve the relationship between stakeholders involved in the implementation of projects funded by the African Development Bank Group, and the impact of the workshop will be measured in the coming months through the disbursement performance achieved.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

In the evolving landscape of global health, digital innovation emerges as a beacon of hope, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare access, quality, and affordability. A recent white paper by the World Economic Forum, produced in collaboration with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, EY, and Microsoft, sheds light on an exciting paradigm shift: the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social innovation, especially within healthcare. AI uptake has the potential to improve immunisation programmes, supply chains, referrals, diagnoses, drug safety, and overall health system efficiency.

The report finds three primary impact areas where AI is making significant contributions:

Healthcare, with 25% of innovators using AI to advance access to health;
Environmental sustainability, with 20% of social innovators applying AI to tackle climate solutions; and
Economic empowerment, notably prevalent in lower-income countries where 80% of all initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods are based.

Healthcare is by far the most prevalent impact domain that social innovators are addressing with AI. Corresponding to this, 1 in 4 Social innovators are deploying AI to advance Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being. This is apparent across all geographies as innovators seek to adopt AI to address multiple challenges within the area of healthcare.

Referenced in this report is BroadReach Group, a social impact organisation, that is using AI and machine learning to equip health care workers, leaders and institutions to better manage their scarce resources and drive better health outcomes for all. Vantage Health Technologies, a part of BroadReach Group is harnessing its work across continents in the following ways:

Using AI in Africa to support large HIV and TB programs by identifying gaps in resources and supporting decision making and targeted actions to address those gaps. This has allowed many districts particularly in South Africa, with the largest HIV population in the world to come close to achieving the UN goals of 95-95-95. The 95-95-95 HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression targets aim to close gaps in HIV treatment coverage and outcomes in all sub-populations, age groups and geographic settings.
Vantage has provided program oversight to Tuberculosis (TB) programs in Africa by providing a single system to manage all key areas.  TB outcomes are difficult to manage without daily insight into performance data. Vantage integrated already existing feeds from the national health data system to drive active decision making and launch interventions to address performance, data quality and reporting compliance.
A leading non-governmental organisation in Nigeria that provides prevention, treatment and care services across HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria uses AI and predictive analytics in Vantage to prevent missed appointments and bring patients back to care. The outputs are used to prioritise outreach to high-risk patients and monitor the effectiveness of interventions to proactively highlight areas needing attention.
In the US, Vantage is addressing Social Determinants of Health, by automating social care coordination for cancer patients. The early results have shown improved patient outcomes, improved equity and financial sustainability, while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden on the workforce.

Dr. Ernest Darkoh, co-founder of BroadReach Group, says, “the fundamental issue in healthcare, whether you are in Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, or the USA, is that demand outstrips supply in terms of health services, doctors, nurses, and medications. The healthcare sector is trying to deliver on an antiquated model of ‘sick care’ without real-time intelligence on disease patterns, who is being affected the most, or the adequacy of healthcare resources. We need to change this paradigm to be more effective by leveraging data and digital solutions to ensure we are always spending the next hour and the next dollar in the in the most impactful way possible.”

Global Collaboration to Achieve Health Equity

The report also shows that Africa is emerging, with leaders like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Egypt and Kenya have developed national AI strategies. In other countries like Cameroon, individual social innovators are using AI to address healthcare challenges, such as developing low-cost diagnostic tools for malaria. The continent is also seeing AI applications in economic empowerment and various ML capabilities.

Paul Bhuhi, Managing Director of Vantage shares, ‘’AI is becoming more accepted, with healthcare leaders seeing the promise of AI to drive real improvement in health access, quality, and affordability. Yet, the education gap between innovators and the policy makers inhibits AI adoption, In our experience Rwanda and Kenya are leading that push but more needs to be done.” 

An important lesson that BroadReach Group is applying is that learning healthcare lessons in one country can have a profound global impact through collaboration. By sharing best practices, innovations, and research findings, countries can collectively address common health challenges more effectively. Collaborative efforts enable the adaptation of successful strategies to different contexts, promoting universal health improvements and accelerating progress towards global health goals like SDG 3. This exchange of knowledge fosters a more interconnected and resilient global healthcare community, where advancements in one region benefit all.

Dr. John Sargent, co-founder of BroadReach Group, says “an example of impact through collaboration is using our experience and learnings in Africa addressing health inequity and applying them to promote health equity in cancer care in the US. Our teams work across geographies and this collaboration has shown that we can more effectively and rapidly improve patient care because of this experience. Although every geography and market has its differences, many of the same core principles, critical lessons learned, and approaches apply, allowing us to rapidly adapt and implement solutions that have a real impact for populations in need while ensuring that the health system is using its resources in the most impactful way.” 

Embracing the Ethical Adoption of AI

The next generation of ethical generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) provides new hope for more equitable healthcare, but advances in technology must never come at the cost of patient rights. AI systems should start with guardrails and ethics within their foundational design.

Chris LeGrand, CEO of BroadReach Group emphasises, “regulatory frameworks for ethical use of AI in healthcare are still early stage but are progressing. The new Digital Trade Protocol recently adopted by African heads of state under the Africa Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) is an example of international bodies defining the desired digital landscape with rules based on common principles, including protecting personal data while promoting trusted, safe, ethical use of emerging technologies. Regulation is slowly evolving to create trust and confidence in the protection of health data.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach Group.

BroadReach Group is a group of social impact businesses focused on harnessing innovation and technology to empower human action. Since 2003 BroadReach Group has worked in over 30 countries to support governments, international NGOs, public and private sector to improve health outcomes for their populations.  

Memorandum of Understanding signed to elevate quality and expand coverage of cancer care in Kenya; Vision to improve regional access to cancer care beyond country limits; Long-term Value Partnership including consulting services, diagnostics and imaging solutions, cancer therapy, maintenance and education programs.

Redhill Cancer Hospital, under the umbrella of RVL Healthcare Ltd, and Siemens Healthineers are partnering to improve essential cancer care across Eastern Africa. To the backdrop of rising cancer cases globally and especially in Africa – with forty-five thousand new cancer diagnoses and almost thirty-thousand cancer-related deaths in Kenya alone per year (Global Cancer Observatory 2022) – the two parties agreed to collaborate in building an integrated Cancer Center and Research Park in Nairobi, Kenya. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the recent US-Kenya Business Forum held in Washington, D.C. between Dr. Leela Prasad Pamidimukkala, Founder and CEO of RVL Healthcare Ltd, and Vivek Kanade, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers, Middle East&Africa, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, and Ambassador Meg Whitman, United States Ambassador to Kenya.

Dr. Leela Prasad Pamidimukkala, Founder and CEO of RVL Healthcare Ltd., commented: “Our vision is to build Africa’s most comprehensive Cancer Center and Research Park focused on offering high quality diagnosis services, cancer treatment and groundbreaking research. As an institution, our mission is to provide affordable cancer services to our people and to people in Africa. With Siemens Healthineers as our partner, we are on a journey of reshaping Africa’s oncology landscape by using modern technologies and innovative solutions to provide affordable cancer care for the wider region, while making a significant contribution to achieving Kenya’s goals for Universal Health Care.”

The understanding comprises not only of advisory services for the initial construction of the facility, but also includes the provision of state-of-the-art diagnostics, imaging and treatment equipment along the entire oncology pathway. Siemens Healthineers will also support the healthcare facility’s sustainable long-term growth strategy with capacity building programs, from physical trainings to remote engagements and AI-based services. The educational programs will be a key contributor to countering the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in Africa, helping to elevate and future-proof the local healthcare infrastructure.

Vivek Kanade, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers, Middle East&Africa, added: ”Together with Redhill Cancer Hospital, we follow the vision of creating a world without fear of cancer. We are pleased and humbled to be working on this monumental facility with RVL Healthcare, which we envision will bring a ray of hope to the lives of millions of patients and their families. By joining forces to build this unique Cancer Center and Research Park, we will be one step closer to realizing the vision of making essential cancer care more accessible, which ties into our company’s purpose of making healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone, everywhere.”

Through the integrated approach across the cancer pathway, Redhill Cancer Hospital will provide a one-stop solution for patients from across the region, significantly improving access to care, while reducing the number of people traveling abroad for treatment, consequently supporting the local economy.

For the Research Park, which will be directly linked to the hospital, the two parties will collaborate with educational institutions and pharmaceutical companies, creating a nexus for cutting-edge research in oncology and a hub for training and education of current and future healthcare professionals.

Construction for the unique facility, which aims to conduct up to 200,000 cancer screenings and 4,000 surgeries per year, is planned to start in August 2024. The facility is set to open its doors to patients by the end of 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Siemens Healthineers.

About Siemens Healthineers:
Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 71,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €21.7 billion. Further information is available at www.Siemens-Healthineers.com.

bp South Africa – a subsidiary of global energy major bp – returns to the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference (www.AECWeek.com/) – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town – as a platinum sponsor. The company’s return signals a commitment to engaging with industry and regional counterparts under a common goal of making energy poverty history.

In recent years, bp South Africa has made fresh investments in infrastructure development, local content empowerment and decarbonization initiatives under a broader agenda to expand fuel distribution and access. As Africa maximizes the development and use of its oil and gas resources to meet industrialization targets, improving partnerships with committed investors such as bp South Africa becomes imperative.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

bp South Africa has a strong history of providing fuel and related products to South Africa, having invested in importation, refining and distribution for over 100 years.

The company announced a five-year $1 billion investment package to enhance its operations in South Africa, including the modernization of its 50% owned SAPREF refinery in Durban in June 2023. The aim is to enable the 180,000 barrels per day refinery to produce low sulfur diesel, in line with the firm’s new low carbon energy specification for environmental sustainability. Additionally, bp South Africa manages the Single Buoy Loading and Offloading Mooring facility, managing up to 85% of South Africa’s crude oil imports. bp South Africa is also channeling significant investments into enhancing South Africa’s port and storage infrastructure with the firm operating six fuel storage terminals in-country.

Going forward, the company is enhancing fuel distribution to meet the growing demand of petroleum products through the expansion of its retail business in South Africa. The company has over 500 branded service stations across South Africa. bp South Africa is also transforming the country’s workforce through investments in local empowerment. In August 2023, the company invested R58 million to stimulate black-owned businesses with a target to have 70% of its service stations operated by black dealers by 2025.

Under the theme, Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment, AEW: Invest in African Energy will feature bp South Africa in high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, spotlighting the company’s investment endeavours, steadfast commitment and strategic vision to propel Africa’s energy industry forward.

“To make energy poverty history by 2030, Africa needs new investment in refining and distribution. bp South Africa is making great strides in this area under efforts to accelerate industrialization and fuel access in South Africa,” stated NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energy serves as the largest event of its kind in Africa. Uniting African presidents, government, and national companies with global investors, project developers and technology providers, the event drives investment across the entire value chain. This year’s edition takes place in Cape Town. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.