Government signs $2bn deal in UAE to build medical city in Lusaka GOVERNMENT has signed a US$2 billion agreement to construct a medical city in Lusaka, aiming to transform the country into southern Africa’s primary hub for medical tourism. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and DIHAD Sustainable Project […]

Government signs $2bn deal in UAE to build medical city in Lusaka

GOVERNMENT has signed a US$2 billion agreement to construct a medical city in Lusaka, aiming to transform the country into southern Africa’s primary hub for medical tourism.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and DIHAD Sustainable Project Management L.L.C at the UAE-Zambia Business Forum, officiated by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Minister of Health Roma Chilengi signed the deal on behalf of Zambia, while engineer, Khaled Al Attar signed for DIHAD Sustainable Project Management.

According to the Minister, the agreement carries no financial commitment for the Zambian government and priority will be given  the hospital and training hub as they will be built first, so that Zambians benefit as early as possible.

Professor Chilengi shared through a statement that the multi-billion-dollar development which will be located in Lusaka’s Airport City and will house a National Paediatric Cardiac Centre and a National Renal Transplant and Kidney Disease Centre.

“For years, Zambians have travelled abroad for complex treatment at great cost to families and Government. The Medical City will reverse that flow, keeping our patients at home and drawing patients from across the region,” Prof. Chilengi said.

“It will build on our existing radiotherapy services with expanded oncology, cancer diagnostics and research. It will also offer robotic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, maternal and child health and rehabilitation, alongside a hospital, university and school to train the next generation of Zambian specialists.”

Government further revealed that a convention centre, auditorium, outdoor theatre, three, four and five star hotels, hotel apartments, offices, shops, wellness and sports facilities, parks and homes will be erected around the hospital.

The minister said the project directly supports the Grow Zambia Agenda and its target of five million tourist arrivals.

“Health tourists and their families will fill our hotels and spend in the local economy, while the project attracts foreign investment and creates jobs in construction, health and hospitality,” explained professor Chilengi.

Under the agreement, DIHAD will work with a multi-sectoral Government team on the planning, design and management of the project.

Together, they will identify and select the partners and investors who will bring the Medical City to life.

Meanwhile, while waiting for the Medical City to open, DIHAD will help Zambian patients access treatment in the UAE through competitively priced packages.