After some soul-searching, we found a way to offer assistance that is both constructive and consistent with our mission, and with our traditional role of financing the buildup of infrastructure in the developing world. But in the 21st century economy, it also means telecommunications and health care. In Africa, this clearly is where the bank can add value. This offer has been incompletely described as a loan program for African governments to purchase antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV-infected patients. It also fills in a vital resource gap by extending financing not only to governments in the region, but also to private hospitals and clinics.
Health care is an essential building block of a strong nation.
Stable public health is a prerequisite to a stable economy. Yet in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, we essentially need to start from scratch in building a medical delivery system that can ensure that treatments and services reach those who need them. Today, too many supplies are stranded on the docks or lost to the underground market because this infrastructure does not exist. The Ex-Im Bank can help change that and establish a key beachhead that is essential to winning this war. Without a doubt, the international donor community should do more.