Remarks by Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan at the
Opening of the LuccaHealth Medical Specialty Center
East Legon, Accra
Friday, October 25, 2019 | 12:00 p.m.
Honorable Deputy Minister of Health; Alex Abban
Honorable Chief Justice and Members of Parliament present;
Archbishop Duncan-Williams and clergy present
District Health Directors;
CEO and Chairmand of BlackIvy, President of LuccaHealth and staff;
Members of the media;
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen;
All protocols observed:
Good Afternoon!
I am delighted to participate in today’s official opening of the LuccaHealth Medical Specialty Center here in East Legon. I can smell the fresh paint! LuccaHealth’s internationally certified Medical Specialty Center will provide Accra with world class services in line with Ghana’s rising demand for medical care. However, today’s opening is not just about better services, it’s also about a commitment to a stronger Ghana.
We all know that healthy families raise children who perform better in school. Healthy workers contribute more to the economy. That’s why the U.S. private sector and U.S. government
are pleased to support Ghana’s vision for a stronger health sector.
The United States, through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (or OPIC), is pleased to have provided $7.5 million in financing to help LuccaHealth and its U.S. parent company, BlackIvy, launch this amazing project to benefit Ghana’s expanding healthcare market. LuccaHealth’s business model brings physicians and head nurses with illustrious careers to Ghana, and gives them a place to thrive in their practice.
During their multi-year assignments, these renowned medical professionals provide Ghana’s medical professionals with a wealth of experience sourced from across the globe
while working side by side in this internationally certified facility. There is a saying that “A worthy cause is worth pursuing to the end.” (a-DI-ya e-YE, na eh-FA-tah no, eh wiryeh YEH).
Today we celebrate the realization of a dream. Bringing internationally recognized experts to Ghana’s shores is an opportunity to share learning opportunities with local nurses and doctors without their needing to leave home. And U.S. financial assistance to this project will help expand this innovative knowledge-sharing model.
The United States considers promoting the health and well-being of Ghana’s citizens a high priority. In the past few weeks, I have been pleased to participate in several events demonstrating the strong partnership between us in the health sector: I participated in the launch of a medical delivery drone distribution center in Mampong, in the Ashanti Region,
the second such center established by the American company Zipline, which delivers life-saving emergency supplies such as blood and antivenin to rural clinics.
While there I also highlighted the collaboration between the United States and the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and the Global Fund to strengthen Ghana’s supply chain system through “last mile” delivery and electronic logistics management, including Ghana’s Integrated Logistics Management Information System, also known as GhiLMIS.
In addition, earlier this month, in partnership with the Republic of Ghana and UNAIDS, I helped launch our joint strategy to achieve HIV epidemic control in the Western Region over the next 12 months.
My team and I at the U.S. Embassy are pleased to continue recognizing the great partnerships between U.S. companies and Ghana’s citizens. Whether the partnership is government-to-government, or purely between private-sector actors, the United States looks forward to our continued commitment to Ghana’s health sector.
I wish LuccaHealth and the community all the best, and congratulate you once again on this welcome project. Ayekoo! Thank you. Medaase paa.
