Tony Elumelu seeks private investment in tackling healthcare issues caused by climate change

Tony Elumelu, the chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has called for private sector investment in tackling healthcare issues caused by climate change.

A statement on Monday said Elumelu spoke at the Abu Dhabi health forum held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Elumelu said climate change is causing new diseases, noting that healthcare issues are becoming more severe as a result of this.

Elumelu said climate finance for adequate healthcare delivery is crucial for building resilience in Africa.

He said private sector innovation, funding from financial institutions, and policies from national and global health systems can help address the challenges.

“Speaking of the link between renewable energy and healthcare, the two are also linked via climate change,” Elumelu said.

“We hear so much about available climate financing for renewable energy projects as well as climate change adaptation and resilience projects, but what about unlocking climate funding for healthcare delivery as well?

“Particularly on the margins where climate change is leading to new diseases or diseases appearing in places they were not seen before.

“As healthcare issues are becoming more severe due to climate change, how can climate funds be accessed to address healthcare as well?

“With private sector innovation, start-up funding from foundations and financial institutions, health care policies from national and global health systems, investments from all, and cross-sector collaboration, we can definitely move humanity forward.”

Elumelu said the world needs to prioritise capital allocation and innovative investments in health research and technology.

This, he said, will drive improvements in health outcomes across Africa.

“My foundation has funded 700 healthcare entrepreneurs, with a gender distribution ratio of 49 percent male to 51 percent female, but this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

“These entrepreneurs have gone on to help communities and even their countries in advancing health care delivery in Africa.”