Private sector ups investment in laboratories/diagnostic centres

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

ZAMBIA has witnessed notable emergence of private investments in laboratories/diagnostic centres, clinics and pharmacies, among others, signifying the vast business opportunities available in the country.
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Permanent Secretary, Subeta Mutelo said the change in the health market landscape was an indication of business opportunities in the sector that health entrepreneurs could exploit responsibly and ethically.
Ms Mutelo said there was a notable emergence of private laboratories/diagnostic centres, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies beyond the line of rail as witnessed in North-Western and Eastern provinces.
She was speaking at the USAID Zambia Accessible Markets for Health Project Business Advisory Programme (BAP) certificate presentation ceremony on Friday. She noted that supporting quality healthcare delivery among private healthcare facilities could be attained through sound business management practices.
“My ministry understands the various challenges that entrepreneurs across different sectors face. Health entrepreneurs are facing an unusual challenge of the perception that healthcare is a public good.
“Facilities are set up by founders that are clinicians, who are often driven by service delivery passion. However, the healthcare market in Zambia has evolved with over a thousand retail pharmacies and over 800 private clinics and hospitals owned by locals and foreigners,” Ms Mutelo said.
She thanked USAID’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare systems through clinical support and business capacity building.
Ms Mutelo said by building the capacity of Small and Medium-Sized healthcare enterprises, USAID was playing a key role in ensuring that these facilities sustainably deliver quality healthcare.
She urged BAP participants to use the knowledge and skills acquired through this training to lead their enterprises into a future which is sustainable and with financial growth.
“As you receive your certificates today, I encourage you to apply these lessons in your daily operations. Whether it is improving financial management, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, or accessing financing, the future of your businesses and the well-being of the communities you serve will benefit from your hard work.”
At the same occasion, Coalition Health Zambia Executive Director, Chanda Mulimansenga said BAP would help the private sector navigate complexities of the business landscape and support the health care business among others.
Dr Mulimansenga also encouraged the private sector to embrace Artificial Intelligence to avoid their businesses being left behind.