Arab News, Saturday, Aug 27, 2022 | Muharram 29, 1444
Saudi Fund for Development signs agreement to finance a health project in Cameroon
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Fund for
Development signed an agreement with the Cameroonian government to finance the
construction of the Mbalmayo Regional Hospital Project, by providing a $12
million soft development loan.
The agreement was signed by SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad, and the Cameroonian
Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey.
The agreement will help to build and equip the hospital with 200 beds and
develop specialized medical departments, centers, and buildings spanning a total
area of 14,000 square meters.
The project will also include an area for operational services covering up to
8,500 square meters.
The development plan also comprises rehabilitating the roads that connect the
hospital to the main roads to ensure easy access.
The project is expected to serve thousands of people from the Cameroonian
capital as well as neighboring cities and villages, providing access to quality
health care services. It will help tackle chronic disease and reduce mortality
rates. The hospital will also alleviate overcrowding in Yaounde and Douala
hospitals.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Manaouda Malachie, Cameroonian minister
of public health, Abdulrahman Alzebn, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Cameroon, and several officials from
both nations.
Al-Marshad said that the project will be co-financed by SFD, the Kuwait Fund for
Arab Economic Development, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa,
with a total value of $38.8 million.
He reiterated that the project is a vital undertaking that will positively
contribute to the social development of the Cameroonian people and will provide
the necessary support for basic infrastructure services, enabling society
members to access all their daily needs to improve their social and economic
living conditions.
Al-Marshad expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by both nations to
achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He said the project is of great
importance to safeguarding Cameroon’s future and ensuring the development of its
burgeoning and thriving sectors.
Mey praised the important role played by Saudi Arabia, through SFD, in
supporting development projects and improving the health sector in Cameroon. The
minister further underlined that the Mbalmayo Regional Hospital project will be
essential to people and communities across Cameroon, offering greater access to
quality care and modern, specialized medical centers.
The Kingdom realizes the importance of supporting the development sectors in
Cameroon through SFD-funded development projects and programs, SPA said,
Since 1977, SFD has provided — in addition to this
agreement — development loans to finance nine projects in Cameroon worth $109
million to enhance the growth and prosperity of the infrastructure, water,
transportation, education, and health sectors to help achieve the UN’s SDGs.