International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank Group, has signed an advisory services agreement with Ethiopian hospital, Hallelujah General Hospital. The ASA serves to promote improvements in patient safety and quality assurance.
The IFC will work with the hospital to assess achievements and gaps in patient safety and quality assurance. The support will enhance corporate processes, minimize patient safety risks, and make the company more attractive to international partners, such as investors and insurance companies.
While acknowledging the role of the IFC, the CEO of the Hallelujah General Hospital, Yetnayet Eshetu said, “Patient Safety is an essential aspect of risk management. It is paramount for us to operate in line with international standards and good practices. Hallelujah aspires to be a center of excellence and a referral center for the patients in Ethiopia and from neighboring countries who are travelling abroad seeking quality healthcare”.
World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes patient safety as a serious global public health issue in developed and developing nations. Estimates show that in high-income developed countries, about one in 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care.
Adamou Labara, IFC Acting Country Manager for Ethiopia, said “IFC is committed to promoting improvements in the quality of health care service delivery as the foundation of better risk management and stronger performance. We are rolling out the health care quality advisory to help service providers implement best practices and develop processes for high quality of care.”
Hallelujah General Hospital is the first IFC partner in Ethiopia to receive a comprehensive assessment based on IFC’s Healthcare Quality Tool. The Tool has been designed to address quality challenges faced by health care service providers in emerging markets. IFC will transfer knowledge to identified Hospital staff, and support development of an evidence-based quality improvement plan.
IFC expects to work with other interested healthcare providers on health care quality and patient safety as a part of broader IFC and World Bank engagement with health sector in Ethiopia and to facilitate strategic development of health care sector.
