YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - (April 28, 2003) Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a $289,180 grant to Polyclinique Bonanjo to partially fund a feasibility study on the renovation, expansion and modernization of the hospital located in Douala, Cameroon. Mr. Steven P. Coffman, Charge d'Affaires, signed an agreement, on behalf of the U.S. Government, conferring the grant in a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy. Dr. Daniel Muna, Medical Director, signed the agreement on behalf of Polyclinique Bonanjo.

Expanding Polyclinique Bonanjo is consistent with the priority that the Government of Cameroon has placed on the development of the private health sector. Currently, the facility serves as a reference center, receiving medical evacuations from the entire sub-region of Cameroon and beyond. The proposed project to expand and renovate the existing facility and its services will further enhance Polyclinic Bonanjo's ability to meet the medical needs of the regional population. If the project is implemented, the facility's diagnostic and treatment capabilities will address the most prominent health problems in Cameroon and the surrounding areas, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, and coronary and pulmonary disease.

The USTDA-funded study will examine the renovation and modernization of the clinical facility's operating capability, while providing space for an office, as well as administrative, educational, laboratory, testing, and training facilities. The facility will be operated using a Public-Private Healthcare Project Development Model (PHPDM).

Exxon-Mobil has shown significant support for the project. The company has over 4,000 employees (expatriate and in-country) in the region that modernized Polyclinique facilities could serve. Senior members of Exxon-Mobil's regional team attended today's ceremony.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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