Healthcare is not a cost it's an investment - Halima Dangote

Healthcare is a crucial aspect of any society, and the debate around funding and investing in this sector continues to be a topic of discussion globally. Halima Dangote, the Executive Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, shared her insights on the importance of viewing healthcare as an investment rather than a cost in a recent interview with CNBC Africa's Wole Famurewa. The conversation took place on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, where African leaders discussed strategies to enhance healthcare across the continent. Dangote emphasized the need to shift the perspective on healthcare funding, highlighting its benefits for both individuals and the economy. 'You have healthier population, you have more productivity. If you have a healthier workforce, you have more productivity,' she stated. This key theme of reframing healthcare as an investment resonated throughout the discussion, as Dangote delved into the role of the private sector, philanthropy, and policy formation in driving meaningful change in the healthcare sector. With a focus on Nigeria, Dangote outlined initiatives to engage the private sector in contributing to healthcare, showcasing a strategic approach to addressing the healthcare challenges in Africa. As she aptly put it, 'If you don't invest in health now, you don't change the narrative of Africa.' The interview shed light on the critical steps needed to transform healthcare in Africa, with a clear call to action for stakeholders to prioritize investments in this vital sector.