African Medical Investments’ new hospital in Mozambique opened by President Armando Guebuza

The President of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza has officially opened African Medical Investments’ (LON:AMEI) (AMI) new hospital and Trauma Centre in Maputo, the group said in a statement. The new private medical facility, which opened its doors to patients last month, also houses Mozambique’s first Well Woman Clinic.

The Maputo Trauma Centre has 35 beds, a delivery room, a dialysis room, a psychiatry centre, a paediatrics department, 24-hour emergency casualty centre, an X-ray department and CT scan centre, a 3D ultrasound centre, three ICU beds, two neo-natal ICU incubators and two theatres. 

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of ministers from other African nations, in addition to numerous NGOs, insurance company representatives, tourism consultants and local business delegates, the group said. 

The new facility began treating patients on 10 May 2010, and according to AMI it has been well received by local residents, businesses, embassies and tourists during its first four weeks of operation. AMI said that the centre has experienced extremely encouraging patient numbers so far. 

"We have received an outstanding response from the local community and businesses operating in Mozambique since opening the Maputo facility in May”, African Medical CEO Dr Vivek Solanki said. “Patient numbers are very encouraging and we are confident that ... more people will be attracted to visiting African Medical hospitals, clinics and centres to cater for their medical requirements."

The Well Woman Clinic will be formally opened with a separate ceremony to be held later today. The company said that over 200 high profile guests are expected to attend.

The clinic provides a variety of services for women and ancillary services for pregnant women such as anti-natal care, post-natal care, and a Well Baby Clinic. The company noted that its Well Women Clinics operate with all-female staff, to offer professional services in a sensitive and dignified manner to women of all religious backgrounds.

According to AMI, the clinic gives Mozambican mothers and mothers-to-be a viable alternative to travelling to South Africa, for anti-natal and post-natal care, which many women have opted for until now due to the lack of suitable facilities in Mozambique.

The new Maputo Trauma Centre and Well Woman Clinic is the company’s latest facility to open under its rapid expansion strategy across Africa. It expands AMI's current portfolio which currently includes the Dar es Salaam Trauma Centre & Well Woman Clinic, the Trauma Centre in Harare and Travel Medical & Vaccination Centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town international airports.

The company also announced the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Trauma Centre & Well Woman Clinic, in Tanzania. AMI opened a new kidney dialysis centre at the facility on 2 June 2010. The new centre has four of the new haemodialysis machines, as well as a new reverse osmosis plant to produce clean water. The facility also hosts a new portable reverse osmosis system for private home use, and three massage chairs. 

The new dialysis centre can see up to three patients at a time, and each of the haemodialysis machines will be allocated for HIV, hepatitis B, and non infected diseases treatment.

African Medical is the parent company of VIP Healthcare Solutions Ltd which provides healthcare in niche areas, particularly to the expanding African middle classes and the expatriate, non-governmental organisations, diplomatic and tourist markets.

The group is evaluating additional sites including Kampala, Uganda, where the company has recently sponsored a medical investment conference, which was attended by the First Lady of Uganda, the President of Kenya, regional health ministers and some 800 doctors.  It is also evaluating opportunities Accra, Addis Ababa and Kigali.