The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has financed 78 healthcare projects in 16 countries with a total value of Dh4.1 billion, in the period since its inception in 1971 till December 2018.

The fund's interest in healthcare projects reflects its keenness to support international efforts aimed at achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, directly contributing to Goal Three - Good Health and Wellbeing. According to an ADFD report, issued to mark World Health Day that falls annually on April 7, the fund views the health sector as one of its priorities given its significant impact on people's lives. The sector is also the most efficient in elevating living standards and empowering citizens to actively participate in the development process.

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of ADFD, said: "Most developing countries lack the resources to meet their development needs, especially in the health sector due to rapidly rising costs, leaving large swathes of the population without access to essential services. This explains ADFD's keenness in developing the health sector through launching comprehensive projects that enhance the social stability of the population and upgrade the level of healthcare available, especially in high-density regions. The nature of the projects financed by the Fund in the health sector in developing countries ranges from the construction of hospitals, integrated and specialised health centres, as well as social development and early childhood centres to the provision of state-of-the-art equipment and facility upgrades."

Since 1971, ADFD has launched comprehensive projects that enhance the social stability of the population and upgrade the level of healthcare available, especially in high-density regions. ADFD also has stepped-up its development efforts in supporting health programmes for women and children. To date, ADFD has backed 18 health programme in collaboration with local institutions and international organisations, successfully providing vital supplies of vaccines and drugs to eradicate infectious diseases.

As part of its efforts to support sustainable development in key socio-economic sectors, ADFD has funded multiple vital healthcare projects. These include the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Mauritania, which is a 185-bed hospital that spans an area of 3,000 square metres, and which has significantly improved the provision of health services in the country. ADFD has also funded the Queen Rania Children's Hospital in Jordan, which provides state-of-the-art medical and therapeutic services. As the first medical facility dedicated to children in the country, the hospital receives more than 200,000 patients per annum.

In addition, ADFD contributed Dh550 million to the construction of the Mohammed bin Khalifa Specialist Cardiac in Bahrain, which helps in diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases in the country and the wider region, featuring cutting-edge medical equipment and 148 beds, outpatient clinics, radiology, imaging, pharmacy, as well as physiotherapy and emergency departments. ADFD has also funded the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Egypt, which is a 150-bed hospital. ADFD's financing provided the latest medical equipment and several medical units including dialysis, intensive care, blood bank, surgeries and other specialised clinics.

 

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