An increasing number of Japanese investors are looking to invest in African health care. As Africa strives to increase accessibility to care and increase insurance coverage, we speak to an investor who things the Japanese model is a good fit.
Last month, thought leaders from private healthcare systems across the globe gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, to network, share their findings, and consider how emerging markets can become more resilient. HBI was there, and these are our key themes and takeaways.
US PE Evercare Health Fund has sold its 1bn Kenyan shilling (€7.8m) stake in the Metropolitan and Ladnan hospitals in Nairobi. The PE fund is owned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Curalie, the digital health subsidiary of German hospital group Fresenius Helios, has launched new digital-only operations in Kenya and Colombia. Experts tell HBI this is a good way for Helios to access new markets, but likely won’t lead to a hospital boom any time soon.
Fresenius Helios plans to become the first and only global health care service player by rolling out its Curalie telehealth plus a prefab diagnostic unit (the Cube) starting in Vietnam in October. Deals are being struck with governments in Ghana and Kenya for the group to offer primary care for €10 per cap. to millions. We talk to Fresenius Helios CEO Franceso de Meo.
A project funded by US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to reduce child and maternal mortality during childbirth in Kenya will make use of UK healthtech start-up Proximie’s remote surgery-guiding technology.
African healthtech provider Helium Health has acquired Meddy, a Qatar and UAE-based doctor booking platform, with a view to expansion. HBI speaks to Adegoke Olubusi, Helium Health co-founder and CEO, to find out more.
The IFC said at HBI 2020 that medical tourism in emerging markets is unlikely to normalise until the end of 2021. Providers say they are already doubling and tripling plans to build in domestic markets, rather than bringing patients to tourism hubs.
The direct health impact of COVID-19 on sub-Saharan Africa has so far been significantly less than expected. But economic activity has fallen sharply and a vaccine impact is not expected until late next year. Panellists from Anadach, the IFC, Columbia Africa, AfyA Care and Nyaho Medical Centre talk about consolidation, supply chains and teledensity.
As predicted by HBI, India-based multi-speciality healthcare provider Manipal Hospitals has agreed to acquire 100% of Columbia Asia's Indian hospitals from Columbia Pacific Management. The deal is valued at Rs 2,100 crore ($282m) including debt.