New strategic alliance to boost Arab and African healthcare
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing health awareness and expanding access to healthcare services across the Arab world and Africa, the Arab African Council for Awareness (AACA) and the Arab Hospitals Federation (AHF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to unify efforts in health education, capacity building, and sustainable development in the healthcare sector.
This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both parties to improving community health through impactful initiatives and meaningful partnerships. The agreement outlines plans for organizing joint health awareness campaigns, launching training programs, and advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare services—especially in remote and underserved areas.
Dr. Ossama Shaheen, President of the Arab African Council for Awareness, stated: 'We firmly believe that health awareness is a cornerstone of sustainable development. This partnership with the Arab Hospitals Federation is a significant step toward unifying efforts for more informed and healthier communities.'
Mr. Fady Alameh, President of the Arab Hospitals Federation, added: 'This alliance underscores the importance of institutional collaboration in supporting Arab and African health systems. By working together, we can advance awareness, empower professionals, and address healthcare challenges more effectively.'
The parties have agreed to implement a series of joint initiatives in the coming period, including scientific forums, professional training workshops, and both digital and field-based awareness campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing emerging health challenges.
This partnership sets a model for institutional collaboration in serving communities and achieving sustainable health development across the Arab and African regions—particularly as healthcare systems continue to evolve and require stronger alignment between civil society and formal health institutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Kenya: Duale Calls for Stronger Governance in National Referral Hospitals during Kenyatta National Hospital Visit
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has called for enhanced leadership and accountability in national referral hospitals, emphasizing the need for governance standards that reflect the vital roles these institutions play in delivering quality healthcare. Speaking during his visit to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the CS reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the facility's mandate and addressing any service delivery challenges. This follows recent public conversations and media coverage highlighting issues at KNH. Hon. Duale praised KNH's decades of leadership in specialized care, citing landmark achievements such as Kenya's first laparoscopic kidney resection and intrauterine fetal transfusion, as well as the hospital's groundbreaking role in performing the world's first transhumeral total shoulder replacement (TSR) surgery. He noted that such milestones position Kenya as a global leader in medical innovation and underscore the government's resolve to advance Universal Health Coverage through the Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme. During his tour of key departments—including the cancer treatment centre, radiotherapy bunker, and the site of a government-funded oxygen-generating plant under construction—the CS encouraged county governments to continue strengthening their referral and primary healthcare systems to ease patient congestion at KNH. He further urged development partners to support KNH's growth in areas such as equipment modernization, digital transformation, training, and research, noting that the hospital remains a critical hub for tertiary care and health innovation in the country. The CS was hosted by the KNH leadership team led by Board Chair Dr. Samier Muravvej and Acting CEO Dr. William Sigilai. He was joined by the Medical Service Prinicipal Secretary Dr Ouma Okunga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting CEO of Kenya's Digital Health Agency. Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Health. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Specialized Medical Company announces the Final Offer Price for its Initial Public Offering
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Specialized Medical Company (' Company ' or ' SMC '), one of the leading healthcare providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (' Kingdom '), recognized as a center of excellence delivering comprehensive and integrated healthcare services across a wide range of specialties, announces the successful completion of the book-building process for institutional investors (' Participating Parties ') and the final offer price (the ' Final Offer Price ') for its initial public offering (the ' IPO ' or the ' Offering ') on the Main Market of the Saudi Exchange. The Final Offer Price has been set at SAR 25.00 per share, which is at the top end of the previously announced price range for the IPO, implying a total offering size of around SAR 1,875 million (USD 500 million) and a market capitalization at listing of SAR 6,250 million (USD 1,667 million). The orders recorded during the institutional book-building exceeded SAR 121.3 billion (approximately more than USD 32.4 billion), representing a coverage of 64.7 times. In line with regulatory requirements, SMC issued a Second Supplementary Prospectus reflecting a shareholder decision to revoke previously distributed interim dividends. Following this, the institutional book-building was reopened exclusively to existing institutional participants, offering them the opportunity to amend or rescind their bids. SMC received strong level of investor engagement since the publication of the Second Supplementary Prospectus. The deliberate and strategic decision taken by SMC's shareholders reinforces their confidence in the IPO and their belief in the Company's long-term value creation potential for both current and future shareholders. The subscription period for Individual Subscribers will commence on Sunday, 15/06/2025G (corresponding to 19/12/1446H), and ends at 2:00 PM (KSA time) of Monday, 16/06/2025G (corresponding to 20/12/1446H). Bassam Chahine, Chief Executive Officer of Specialized Medical Company (SMC), commented: ' Reaching the top end of the price range is a clear vote of confidence in SMC's performance, vision, and growth strategy. It marks a significant milestone in our journey from a single day-surgery center to one of Riyadh's leading private healthcare providers. This IPO sets the stage for our next phase of expansion as we double our capacity, deepen our presence in high-growth areas like Northern Riyadh, and continue to redefine healthcare delivery in the Kingdom.' HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OFFER The Company has appointed EFG Hermes KSA and SNB Capital Company (' SNB Capital ') as the joint financial advisors (hereinafter referred to as the " Financial Advisors"), bookrunners (the " Bookrunners"), and underwriters (the " Underwriters") and appointed SNB Capital as the lead manager (hereinafter referred to as the " Lead Manager") in respect to the Offering described herein. The Company has also appointed SNB Capital, SAB Invest, Al Rajhi Capital, BSF Capital, Alinma Investment, Riyad Capital, Al Jazira Capital, Alistithmar Capital, ANB Capital, Derayah Financial Company, Yaqeen Capital, Al Khabeer Capital, Albilad Capital, GIB Capital and Sahm Capital to act as receiving agents (collectively, the ' Receiving Agents ') for retail investors. The Offering will consist of 75,000,000 ordinary shares (the 'Offer Shares'), representing 30% of the Company's total issued share capital. 100% of the Offer Shares have been initially allocated to the Participating Parties that took part in the institutional book building process. In the event that Individual Subscribers subscribe in full for the Offer Shares allocated thereto, the Financial Advisors shall have the right to reduce the number of Offer Shares allocated to Participating Parties to a minimum of sixty million (60,000,000) Offer Shares, representing 80% of the total Offer Shares, provided that such reduction shall not apply to the Cornerstone Investor and the final allocation to the Cornerstone Investor shall be five million eight hundred seventy-five thousand (5,875,000) shares of the Offer Shares (representing 2.35% of the Company's share capital after the Offering) in all cases. Accordingly, fifty-four million one hundred and twenty-five thousand (54,125,000) shares of the Offer Shares will be allocated to the Participating Parties other than the Offer Shares allocated to the Cornerstone Investor and individual shareholders. The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) committed to subscribe, as Cornerstone Investor, for 5,875,000 shares of the Offer Shares (representing 2.35% of the Company's share capital after the Offering). The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) is considered a major investor in the Saudi markets. The Company believes that the contribution of the Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) will provide an essential drive for achieving growth and long-term strategic goals. The Offer Shares will be offered for subscription to individual and institutional investors, including institutional investors outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933G, as amended ('US Securities Act'). The Offering's net proceeds will be distributed to the Selling Shareholders. The Company will not receive any part of the Offering Proceeds. The Offer Shares will be listed and traded on the Saudi Exchange's Main Market following the completion of the Offering and listing formalities with both the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Saudi Exchange. To view the full Prospectus and information on the IPO, please visit
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Woman Saved from Life-Threatening Neck Growth That Started as Sore Throat
A young woman whose sore throat became a life-threatening growth in her neck, leaving her struggling to breathe, has had it removed for free by surgeon volunteers from international charity Mercy Ships ( Harimalala from Mankara, on the east coast of Madagascar was just 12 when her throat started to feel uncomfortable and began to swell. 'I took medicines, but it kept growing even more. I even went to a traditional healer, but it kept growing,' she said. The large growth eventually became impossible to ignore. Ashamed of her appearance, Harimalala dropped out of school and wrapped a scarf around her neck to hide the mass. The swelling affected her physically, emotionally, and socially. 'I am unable to fetch water or carry heavy things. I can't bend down or run,' she shared before her surgery. Harimalala feared her condition was life-threatening but like approximately 93% of people in sub-Saharan Africa ( she was unable to access safe, affordable, and timely surgical care. Still unable to find any help at 24 years old, she heard about Mercy Ships from a neighbor — a charity that sends floating hospitals crewed by volunteer medical professionals to provide free surgery. She held onto the hope that they would return to Madagascar. When she heard it had, she traveled alone to the port of Toamasina in 2024 where the volunteers from the Africa Mercy® first met Harimalala. The medical team quickly realized her condition was critical and she could not return home until she had surgery. Dr. AJ Collins, who has led Mercy Ships' thyroid surgery program for 17 years, performed the operation. He described her condition as, 'A typical but massive multinodular goiter, which is the most common type of thyroid pathology worldwide.' 'It tends to compress the airway so breathing and talking and exercising become very difficult. It can make it hard to swallow your food. Those problems just become worse until they get to critical point, which I think for her, was close.' Additionally, Harimalala faced bigger challenges. 'I feel ashamed with people and don't dare go to church because people stare at me. People gossip, they talk – they say I have a big thing on my neck,' she said. She also feared the condition would rob her of the chance to build a future. 'I can't imagine what that's like… seeing all the young people around you get on with their lives and do things like getting married and having families or other things,' said Dr. Collins. 'She had a deep feeling that wasn't going to happen for her.' Her airway was so compromised that Mercy Ships staff raised concerns by email with Dr. Collins. Harimalala spent several months at the HOPE (Hospital OutPatient Extension Center, receiving care to reduce the size of the goiter before surgery could take place. After a complex four-hour procedure, Harimalala was finally freed from the 1.35-kilogram mass, which was almost two pounds in weight. After successful surgery, Harimalala reflected on her future. 'I really like necklaces, but I had goiter so I couldn't wear it but now I can,' she said, smiling broadly. 'I feel like I've entered a new life because the previous one, it was uncertain whether I would die or live. 'I can get married and have children now because the growth is gone,' she added. Learn how you can partner with Mercy Ships to provide hope and healing to people like Harimalala. Visit Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships. For more information about Mercy Ships, contact: Sophie Barnett Mercy Ships International PR Manager About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy ® and the Global Mercy ™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit and follow @ MercyShips on social media.
