The Ethio-American Doctors Group has issued a detailed response to public concerns about their planned Medical City Center project in Addis Ababa, addressing questions about financial capacity and progress on the allotted land. The group, comprising over 350 diaspora physicians and health professionals, stated they have invested over $12 million of their own capital into the project and completed foundational work including 1,000 reinforced concrete piles by 2019. EADG emphasized that the project is fully planned and "shovel-ready," with all architectural and engineering designs completed for the entire hospital campus.
The group had secured partnerships and pledges from reputable international institutions and private investors to fund construction and equipping of the 300-bed tertiary referral hospital. They categorically denied allegations that they attempted to sell any portion of the leased land, noting that under Ethiopian law they had no authority to do so. Regarding project progress, EADG explained they leased a 15-hectare site in the Lemi-Kura sub-city of Addis Ababa in 2019 and held a groundbreaking ceremony in April 2017 with former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in attendance. By October 2020, the entire foundation work for the hospital had been completed.
The group stated they have consistently met all obligations including timely payment of annual land lease fees and full compliance with permit requirements. The major delays, according to EADG, resulted from administrative and procedural blockages rather than lack of effort or funding. Since 2020, repeated attempts to renew building permits and secure final approvals faced prolonged bureaucratic hurdles including lost paperwork, office turnover, and periods of inaction beyond their control. The group formally submitted a request to the Ministry of Health on December 24, 2021, seeking collaboration under a Public-Private Partnership model to ensure the institution remains a national asset.
EADG noted that over 40% of their physician members are already actively involved in Ethiopia's health sector through free medical camps, specialist training workshops, and donations of medical supplies and equipment. The group expressed concern that houses are being built on the project land without official notice of confiscation, putting their "dream project on the verge of dying." They maintain the Medical City Center was conceived as an act of service to Ethiopia rather than a commercial venture, with no members expecting financial gain from the initiative.
