Questions and Answers

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Why did IFC do this report, what was the goal, and where is it available?

• IFC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation began a $2.6 million research initiative in September 2006 to study the role and impact of Sub-Saharan Africa’s private health sector and develop an IFC strategy to engage the sector more effectively. Titled The Business of Health in Africa: Partnering with the Private Sector to Improve People's Lives, this report is a result of that initiative.
• The goal was to find ways to improve health in Africa. People here have the worst health, on average, in the world. The region is not on track to meet the health-related Millennium Development Goals; it has 11 percent of the world's population but carries 24 percent of the global disease burden. With less than 1 percent of global health expenditure and only 3 percent of the world's health workers, Africa accounts for almost half the world’s deaths of children under five, has the highest maternal mortality rate, and bears a heavy toll from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The region lacks the infrastructure to provide even basic health care to many of its people. The scale of the challenge is driving a reassessment of traditional approaches and a growing acceptance that the private sector should be a key part of the region’s overall health strategy.
• To read the report, go to www/ifc.org/HealthinAfrica. To receive a hard copy, send an e-mail request to healthinafrica@ifc.org. French and Portuguese versions will be available in early 2008, on the Web site and in hard copy.

What are the key findings?

How is IFC responding to the findings? What are the main elements of IFC’s strategy?


Why is IFC involved in health care? Isn’t that what governments do?


Does the report advocate privatizing health care systems in Africa? Does IFC advocate that?

Many in the public health community oppose private sector involvement in health. What is IFC's view?

What will prevent medical professionals in public sector hospitals from leaving for better-paying jobs in the private sector?

Doesn’t Africa’s private health sector mainly serve the rich?

Do private sector clinics and hospitals offer free or subsidized services for Africa’s poor?

What is IFC’s view on user fees in health care?

Is collaborating with foundations a new trend for IFC? How is the Gates Foundation involved in this report?

Who is your target audience? What kind of partners are you looking for?

What organizations do you expect will participate in the equity vehicle?

What kinds of opportunities do you see for investors?

What kind of investors do you think will be needed to grow the region’s private health sector?

Why do life sciences matter in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Is Africa’s investment climate good for business?

How did you collaborate with the World Bank and NGOs on this report?

How will you publicize the report and IFC's response? How will you ensure that the report is seen by target audiences?

Who was responsible for preparing the report? What subsectors does it cover? What countries are covered?

Who should investors and other stakeholders contact to receive more information?