The Minister of Planning and Development, Nialé Kaba, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, Pierre Dimba, chaired the joint donation and evaluation ceremony of the presentation of the results and lessons learned from the operational mission for women with fistulas. This ceremony, which is part of the coordination of the commitments of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD + 25) and the follow-up to the PND (2021-2025), took place on Friday 9 September 2022 in the prefecture of Bouna.
The ambition is great, the means are significant and the treatment is satisfactory with 85% success. The definitive elimination of obstetric fistula from Africa by 2030 brought together several authorities in Bouna. Launched by the Ivorian government with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and that of the Republic of South Korea through Koica, the days of review of the experience of cross-border cooperation for the eradication of obstetric fistula and the strengthening of initiatives for the empowerment of women and young people will contribute to the reduction of poverty in this region.
The Minister of Planning and Development who presided over the ceremony recalled its importance, “beyond its humanitarian reach, the treatment of fistulas and the reintegration of women who are victims of it into their community is a development effort. because they aim to leave no one behind, including people made vulnerable by poverty, malnutrition and health problems often resulting from harmful traditional practices. Niale Kaba said. The minister insisted on the Ivory Coast’s willingness to accelerate strategic investments aimed at ending maternal deaths.
The Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage described the alarming situation of the disease, “this obstetric complication is responsible for the desolation in the families where it occurs. Indeed, fistula, designated as a “disease of shame” for our mothers, sisters and daughters, is unfortunately rampant in our country ”, informs Pierre Dimba. He also specifies that “the epidemiological situation of this condition in our country is: for a national prevalence of 1% (DHS 2021), the Autonomous District of Zanzan is one of the most affected, with a prevalence of 1.4% among the women aged 15 -49 ”, he adds.
The resident UNFPA representative, for her part, thanked the Ivorian authorities for their commitment before insisting on her institution’s willingness to go further: “The United Nations Population Fund is firmly committed to the Republic of Korea. Sud through its Cooperation, KOICA and other partners, to give new impetus to the fight for the elimination of obstetric fistula. We are convinced that by joining our efforts around solid partnerships, we can eliminate the fistula in our country well before 2030 “, said Cécile Compaoré.
Following his interventions, the Minister of Health made important donations, on behalf of the President of the Republic of the Ivory Coast, worth 200 million CFA francs, in particular a transfer ambulance, hospital beds, a 450 kVA generator, sanitary trays and many other miscellaneous medical equipment.
It should be noted that the government is planning major investments in the health sector, in particular the construction of the Doropo general hospital and 10 first contact establishments along the border area in the localities of Kodagninan, Sakouor, Kalana-Bavé, Kolôgôbô, Koutiana, Kakota , Favoredouo, Linki-brouyé, Ounayidouo, Kobilou, thus strengthening what already exists.
The ceremony which recorded the presence of the King of Bouna, the representative of the Minister of the Family, Women and Childhood, the administrative, political, religious authorities and that of the local elected officials of the region, ended with a visit to the Bouna General Hospital.
Cyprien K. with Sercom
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