Ethio-American Doctors Group Addresses Project Concerns, Details Progress on Medical City Center

The Ethio-American Doctors Group has invested over USD $12 million into the Medical City Center project, completing foundational work including 1,000 reinforced concrete piles by 2019 and all architectural designs, with financial readiness supported by partnerships from reputable international institutions. The group denies claims about attempting to sell the leased land, explaining that efforts to attract local investors were lawful practices to strengthen project capacity, while misinformation has damaged trust in this healthcare initiative. Significant progress includes leasing a 15-hectare site in Lemi-Kura sub-city in 2019, holding a groundbreaking ceremony in 2017 with former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and completing hospital foundation work by October 2020, with all land lease fees and permit requirements consistently met. Delays since 2020 are attributed to administrative blockages like lost paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles, not EADG's inaction, as the group persistently sought permits and submitted a Public–Private Partnership request to the Ministry of Health in December 2021 to align with government objectives. Over 40% of EADG's 350+ diaspora physician members actively serve Ethiopia's health sector through medical camps and training, demonstrating commitment beyond the project, which is envisioned as a non-commercial act of service to provide world-class healthcare. The group notes no official notice of land confiscation but observes houses being built on the site, risking the project's future, and reaffirms its dedication to completing the medical campus as a lasting gift to Ethiopia.