MIGA Backs Health Information Systems in Burundi

MIGA Backs Health Information Systems in Burundi
Investment will Improve Hospital Operations and Help Professionals Share Critical Health Information
View the press release in French

WASHINGTON, DC, January 18, 2012—The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the political risk insurance arm of the World Bank Group, announced today it is supporting an investment by Medical Exchange Solutions SA of Belgium (MXS) that will strengthen Burundi’s health care sector management and operations. 

MXS is establishing a company called Open-IT in Burundi that will develop and implement health information management systems for health facilities and health-management organizations and deliver technical support and training. Open-IT will act as a medical information, communication, and technology solutions and consultancy service provider for the Burundian health care sector.

“This solution will improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hospital operations,” says Frank Verbeke, Chief Executive Officer for MXS. “It will also support sharing of scarce medical knowledge in the region, through medical information exchange. Data hosted by Open-IT applications can be used for research, remote diagnosis and education, as well as statistics and epidemiological input for local governments, non-governmental organizations, and others.”

Through its Small Investment Program, MIGA is providing $700,000 of insurance to MXS covering its shareholder loan to Open-IT. MIGA’s coverage is for a period of up to 10 years against the risks of transfer restriction, expropriation, and war and civil disturbance.

“After a 12-year civil war, Burundi’s health care sector is facing serious resource constraints and the population has limited access to basic services,” notes MIGA’s Executive Vice President Izumi Kobayashi. “The private sector can play a key role in developing sustainable health care infrastructure and we are pleased to be able to offer a solution for companies venturing into challenging new markets.”

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MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT GUARANTEE AGENCY
A Member of the World Bank Group
1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433

MIGA Contact:
Mallory Saleson, MIGA
Tel: +1 202 473-0844
E-mail: msaleson@worldbank.org

Rebecca Post, MIGA
Tel: +1 202-473-1964
E-mail: rpost@worldbank.org

Cara Santos Pianesi
Tel: +1.202.458.2097
E-mail: csantospianesi@worldbank.org