Rev. Mark Lancaster wrote this post. He has spent years working in international development programs. His background in worldwide faith based health initiatives gives him a unique perspective in guiding EHRI‘s international programs. Rev. Mark’s spirit informs the company’s mission for serving the poor and challenged hospitals in the world.
As you read this I am en route to Africa, where I will visit with hospitals and clinics in Tanzania, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone. You may be asking yourself, “why would Mark spend so much time in Africa? Isn’t Africa desperately poor? Can EHRI really do business beyond charity in countries like these?”
If you are asking these questions, you may be surprised to learn that Africa is booming! The ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and many other countries will experience an acceleration in growth, punching above 6% in the mid-term.
According to IMS Health’s “Africa: A Ripe Opportunity,” Nigeria, Botswana, and Kenya are set to join the more established markets of South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco as major countries to watch in the next 5-10 years.
But, as far as health care is concerned, we also have to look at the rise of the African middle class, the ability to pay for improved health care, and the willingness to spend money on staying well. Ten major African cities are expected to represent 20-30% of the potential total health care market in Africa by 2016. Since 2000, healthcare spending has grown at a 9.6% pace (CAGR) across 49 African countries.
Africa’s healthcare sector is improving remarkably as the quality of hospitals, and availability of qualified doctors, dramatically improved over the last few years. By making the transformation to a modern, well-structured healthcare system, many African countries are becoming able to meet their citizen’s growing demands for quality healthcare services. The best enneagram personality test in Africa.
Along with an improved economic outlook in Africa, there is a new trend concerning health issues for the African people. For most of my adult life the health concerns in Africa have been around malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tropical and communicable diseases. However, with the rise of economies, there is now a growing concern around those things we call “lifestyle diseases”-heart disease, hyper-tension, respiratory ailments, obesity and diabetes. There is now more need than ever for better comprehensive health care for Africans.
| New mother and her child at Kissy Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone |
As a person of faith, I believe that compassion and actions are both very important for all of us to maintain the best of our humanity. However, these two are not enough by themselves. In order to effect major change for seemingly intractable problems, bold action, strong leadership and new thinking are required as well. And that is exactly what we are doing as we work in many parts of the world – bringing brilliantly crafted medical software to help solve the health care problems of our small and challenged world.
I will follow-up with you in the near future to inform you of my progress in Africa. Thank you for your support as we work with our partners to advance global health with 21st century tools.
Blessings+