Rousseff unveils NDB’s multi‑billion‑real investment and plans for a Smart Hospital in Brazil

In a lively interview with journalists Leonardo Attuch and Fernando Morais on TV 247, former Brazilian president and current New Development Bank (NDB) head Dilma Rousseff talked about the bank’s growing footprint in Brazil. She said the Shanghai‑based lender has approved roughly R$23.95 billion in financing for the country since she took over in March 2023.

Those funds, Rousseff explained, are earmarked for a suite of sustainable‑infrastructure projects – everything from modernising sanitation networks and expanding urban mobility to accelerating the nation’s energy transition and backing climate‑related initiatives. She also mentioned continued support for Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), reinforcing the country’s own development engine.

One of the headline‑grabbing proposals she unveiled is a “Smart Hospital” that will sit inside Brazil’s public health system. The plan calls for the integration of artificial‑intelligence diagnostics, surgical‑robotics suites and other cutting‑edge technologies, turning a conventional hospital into a high‑tech hub for patient care.

Crucially, the project isn’t a solo effort. Brazil’s Health Ministry will work hand‑in‑hand with India’s Narayana Health, a renowned private‑sector chain, to bring expertise and operational know‑how to the table. The collaboration underscores a broader vision of South‑South cooperation, Rousseff said, where emerging economies pool resources and talent to tackle shared challenges.

Rousseff also took the opportunity to stress NDB’s “demand‑driven” philosophy. The bank, she said, respects national sovereignty, tailoring long‑term financing to each country’s own development priorities. She advocated for greater use of local currencies in international deals, a move she believes can shield borrowers from volatile exchange‑rate swings.

Looking ahead, Rousseff hinted at the bank’s strategic roadmap for 2027‑2031, which will likely deepen its presence in the Global South and expand its portfolio of climate‑focused projects. She wrapped up by reminding listeners that science, education and technological innovation are the true engines of Brazil’s future growth and its role on the world stage.