BY Mayowa Tijani
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has called on all businesses within Nigeria and Africa, to support the health sector with at least one percent of their profit.
Speaking at the 2019 Africa Business Health Forum in Addis Ababa, Dangote, who was represented by Halima Dangote, said business is highly interwoven with health.
“To me, business and healthcare are interwoven, and a healthy population can ensure the best labour force to build any economy successfully,” Dangote said.
“Adequate healthcare for all has led to calls for greater private sector involvement in healthcare financing, humanitarian support and philanthropy.
“This is crucial for us in Nigeria and in Africa. As a businessman, and through Aliko Dangote foundation, I am committed to working with governments and key stakeholders for the development of impactful health initiatives in Africa.
“I believe that private sector leaders have a strong role to play. In the past, I have in my country charged business leaders to commit at least one percent of their profit after tax to support the health sector.”
Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS, who also spoke at the forum said “many of our countries are faced with serious challenges in investment in health and are unable to fight emergencies. This forum should also result in Fighting stigma and discrimination”.
“Pharmaceutical production is huge business and is expected to move from 14 billion to 22 billion in only 8 years. 26% of the total burden of disease of the world is on this continent, yet we are producing only 3% of the medicine we are consuming and I can tell you it’s a huge business.”
Abiy Hammed, the prime minister of Ethiopia, launched the Africa Business Coalition for Health (ABC Health) to champion private sector participation in achieving better health outcomes for Africa and Africans.
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