Bringing Worldclass Healthcare to Africa

Cardiovascular diseases are among the top killer-diseases worldwide, including Africa. While most western nations have been able to arrest the increasing trend of the disease, sub-Saharan Africa still remains several decades behind, and unable to tap into the the benefits of modern medicine. The good news is that this is about to change.

That agent of change is no other than Ernest Madu, a Nigerian physician based in Jamaica, and the founder of Heart Institute of the Caribbean, a revolutionary clinic for cardiovascular diseases in Kingston, Jamaica.

The TED website describes Dr. Madu as someone who “believes that people in the developing world have a right to world-class health care” who through his clinics “delivers more than $1 million a year in free or reduced-care treatment, a significant contribution in an area where 56% of hospital deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease”.

As you watch Ernest speak below, via TED Conference, about his endeavors in the Caribbean and his vision for Africa, he mentions the use of Telemedicine and his pet project - the West African Heart Institute which he hopes to start in Port Harcourt, Nigeria by 2009. The latter promises to be the catalyst for the emergence of revolutionary medicine in Africa - from business and public health perspectives.

That Dr Madu’s institute offers advanced medical treatment at a fraction of what it cost in American hospitals is noteworthy - since there are very few places - the so-called medical tourist destinations - where this is possible.

Medical tourism is not really new. As far back as 2005, Grandiose Parlor blog, an AfricanLoft media partner, wrote about the economics and how India overcame its enormous infrastructural challenges - which is comparable to any African nation by the way - and tap into the lucrative niche. Here is an excerpt:

“About 100,000 patients travel to the India every year- a 100 percent increase from 5 years back- to receive care for ailments ranging from hip resurfacing to complex heart surgery. How can these patient look beyond “a decrepit airport and filthy streets” and chose India for medical care? The answer is price… Bypass surgery cost less than one tenth of the US price. In addition to receiving top-quality care, patients are lavishly catered for right from the airport to the time they depart…High salary of specialist-physicians account for a significant portion of medical cost in the US, whereas doctors in India earn significantly less, thus India can afford to offer relatively cheaper treatment. The combination of cheap labor, lower fees and differential pricing enable hospitals to make money to treat the poor in India. Just plain and simple economics!”

Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, after HIV/AIDS, and the leading cause of death for people over 30. As you watch Dr Madu give his presentation, imagine the health and business implications of Madu bringing his knowledge and experience to sub-Saharan Africa - a region where most people are under age 50.