Special Envoy Underlines Importance of Kuwait-financed Medical Center in Ethiopia

The ceremony was attended by President of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, members of the credited diplomatic missions in Ethiopia, and the medical center’s staff.

KUWAIT (KUNA)–The Special envoy of His Highness the Amir, Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abulhassan on Thursday stressed importance of the establishment of a medical center in the African Union (AU) headquarters; Addis Ababa, through a donation by His Highness the Amir, which will reflect greatly on Kuwaiti-African partnership.

Abulhassan remarks came in a speech during a ceremony organized by the AU Commission, marking the occasion of opening the medical center at the Ethiopian capital this morning.

The ceremony was attended by President of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, members of the credited diplomatic missions in Ethiopia, and the center’s medical staff.

Abulhassan added that the opening ceremony was for the first phase of the center, pointing out that this facility will provide services to all AU members, in addition to members participating in African summits held in Ethiopia.

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The Special envoy noted that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah pledged to also support and finance the second phase of the center, which will be critical because it would be to create a part of the center for early warning of diseases and epidemics, pointing out that the center will be operational in 2018.

He further pointed out that an international committee has been formed to select the best studies in the medical field and economy. The winning studies will be honored at the fourth African-Arab summit, to be hosted Equatorial Guinea at the end of this month.

The Amiri Diwan advisor said that such initiatives represent a sign of appreciation by His Highness Amir, the Kuwaiti government and people to the African Continent, as well as gratitude for Africa and its support to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in 1990.

Abulhassan explained Kuwait will continue to be a strong supporter for development in Africa, whether through the state, Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), or other institutions.

For her part, AU commission chief Zuma expressed appreciation for the significant support provided by the State of Kuwait to the Union, especially in the infrastructure, economy and investment fields.

Zuma added that the opening of the first phase of the medical center reaffirms the commitment by His Highness the Amir to Africa and all sort of support in various fields of development, noting that Kuwait is the main partner of the AU.

Kuwait Ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU Rashid Al-Hajri said on the occasion that the opening of the center is considered a “historic event.”

Al-Hajri added the medical center will be equipped with 13 units and will include 52 medical staff members.

Source: Kuwait News Agency
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