Infrastructure expansion will have a marked impact on women’s access to healthcare services
WASHINGTON – U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced the disbursement of a more than $18 million loan to Axxis Hospital, an 84-bed hospital for women and children in Quito, Ecuador. Axxis is the only private healthcare facility in the country focused on providing state-of-the-art maternal and pediatric services.
“DFC’s investment in Axxis Hospital expands access to and strengthens healthcare infrastructure in Ecuador, a key U.S. partner in Latin America,” said DFC CEO Scott Nathan. “The project is a strong example of DFC’s work providing and expanding critical healthcare services for women and children.”
“Axxis Hospital de Especialidades undertook the creation of the Maternal and Children’s hospital, a step that constitutes a milestone in our history due to the great advances in technology and specialization in medical management,” said Dr. Antonio Naranjo, Chief Executive Officer at Axxis Hospital. “This allows us to offer greater safety in the medical care of our pediatric and gynecological patients. Likewise, this undertaking strengthens the educational process of our doctors and students, but above all, the unquantifiable impact in solving the healthcare needs of a growing child and female population. Axxis Hospital de Especialidades greatly appreciates the trust of DFC in our project which will change healthcare in Ecuador.”
Through DFC’s direct loan, Axxis Hospital will gain additional capacity needed to address the gap in quality care for women and children. DFC financing will enable the hospital to increase its staff by an estimated 300 employees and patient capacity by nearly 70 beds. The loan will also fund medical equipment modernization. The construction and facilities management for the project will be provided by MELE Associates, a Rockville, MD-based business.
DFC’s loan advances President Biden’s Build Back Better World (B3W) Initiative by boosting health outcomes and gender equity through tangible infrastructure improvements. This investment also advances the Corporation’s 2X Women’s Initiative and Global Health and Prosperity Initiative.
###
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.