Guinea: Italy’s commitment to healthcare

Italy continues with its commitment to cooperate with Africa. A financial agreement has just been signed to help towards restoring and developing Guinea’s healthcare system. The aim is to concentrate efforts in rural areas of the country, especially in the regions of Middle Guinea (prefectures of Kindia, Labe, Mamou and Dalaba), Upper Guinea (prefectures of Kankan, Kourosussa and Siguiri), Forested Guinea (prefecture of Gueckedou), and Maritime Guinea (prefectures of Boffa and Boke), as well as in the capital, Conakry.  The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) programme plans to create basic healthcare structures, to have teams of operators at various hospitals, and to restore the National Nutrition and Child Healthcare Institute and the National Dialysis centre in Conakry. Healthcare operators will also be trained at a number of different levels.  The programme launched by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to develop the healthcare system has a budget of 21 million dollars. Tenders will be held in coming weeks for the supply of goods and services, to build hospitals and healthcare centres, to purchase equipment and diagnostic instruments, and to train staff. The Italian Embassy will publish the tenders for information and assistance purposes for interested Italian companies and entities. “The opening of the Embassy on 1 June last in Guinea was a strong political signal of friendship between Italy and Africa. It will also help interested Italians to get closer to Guinea and take advantage of opportunities there”.