Content about healthcare

According to the most recent World Bank economic update published late in 2012, “Tanzania stands out as a model of sound economic performance with a growth rate of over six percent in 2011 and 2012.” Tanzania’s economic prospects look positive over the period for 2012-14, the report goes on to say, when its GDP is forecast to grow at a rate of 6.5 to 7 percent. In economic terms Tanzania was a rock of stability in 2011/12, recording solid growth and strengthened fiscal discipline despite increases in the rate of inflation.

As the continent of Africa continues to grow, both economically and in terms of a rising population, the demand for accessible healthcare has never been greater. Amongst a host of rapidly developing countries, Ethiopia is considered to be among the fastest growing African nations. The second most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia is home to more than 84 million people and is now beginning to take its place on the global stage.

Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) originally developed its Oxygen Concentratorin 2011 as a way of delivering life-saving oxygen to frontline battlefields. It works by cycling air pressure in chambers filled with a gas absorbing substance to concentrate atmospheric oxygen to 95 percent purity.

Funai will pay $200 million, as well as a regular brand licensing fee, to take control of Philips’ product lines, which include its hi-fis and DVD players.  

The deal follows the announcement last year that Philips was to transfer its loss-making television unit to a new joint venture arrangement with Hong Kong’s TPV and comes at a time where the company wants to focus on its healthcare, light bulbs and home appliances businesses as part of its "Accelerate!" restructuring plan.

Healthcare delivery in Africa is to benefit from a $10.6 million public-private financing initiative from the Medical Credit Fund (MCF).

European pharmacy chain Alliance Boots has signed a strategic deal with China’s Nanjing Pharmaceutical Company, it has been announced.

Under the terms of the deal, Alliance Boots will acquire a 12 per cent stake in Nanjing Pharmaceutical for approximately £56 million (RMB560 million). On completion of the transaction, Alliance Boots will be the second largest shareholder in Nanjing Pharmaceutical with board and operational management representation. Nanjing Pharmaceutical Group Limited will continue to be the largest shareholder in the Chinese company.

Engage every employee in improvement and you won’t think of replacing them with robots.

By Mark Graban

Irish healthcare services provider United Drug has agreed to acquire UK and US clinical services businesses Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies from India-based Bilcare.

The deal, which is worth $61 million, is expected to complete on 31 August 2012. As part of the agreement, Bilcare will retain its clinical supplies business in Asia.

The African Development Bank has financed a new hospital in Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso.

The new hospital, fully equipped with 200 beds, is valued at an estimated €31 million and was financed entirely by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The project is part of the government’s healthcare support programme in the east-central and northern regions of the country, and will serve people who formerly had to travel up to 160 kilometres for treatment in hospitals in Ouagadougou. 

Toronto-based Plan Group has migrated from a construction industry contractor to an integrator of infrastructure technologies. Bill Kurtin, CEO and Glen Landry, Managing Director, Technology, talk about the role of collaboration and innovation in creating the healthcare facilities of the future.

Hospital leaders need to reach out to quality and safety leaders in other industries, including aviation and manufacturing, says Mark Graban.

Nobody’s perfect. What quality or ability do you wish you had?

I wish I could be more patient. I have a ‘let’s do it now’ attitude, particularly when it comes to dealing with clients, as they are the most important thing to any business, and in my opinion they should come first. I don’t like to put off until tomorrow what can be done today.

What is the best business book you have ever read, and why?