Dedougou:The Secretary General of the Bankui region, Adjara Sandrine Kientega/Ouédraogo, representing the Governor, inaugurated the first edition of the Open Days event at the Dedougou Regional Hospital Center (CHR) on October 20, 2026. The event is themed "The Dedougou Regional Hospital Centre, a resilient hospital serving the population quality of care, prevention and community engagement," and aims to enhance the relationship between the hospital and its users.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Homeland Construction, Mikaïlou Sidibé, and the sponsorship of the Minister of Health, Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou. Both ministers were represented at the ceremony, which brought together significant figures from the region and numerous hospital users.
The workers' representative, Pierre Koama, expressed support for the Open Days as a means to foster closer ties between the hospital and the community. He emphasized the importance of maintaining equipment, ensuring staff safety, and relocating the CHR to its new site to improve both working conditions and patient care.
Over the course of 72 hours, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals, explore available services, and participate in awareness and screening activities. Issouf Rouamba, the general manager of the CHR, announced that screenings for hepatitis B, diabetes, HIV, and cervical cancer would be conducted, alongside blood donations and public conferences.
The CHR of Dedougou, which has 489 staff and 175 functional beds, managed to perform 4,141 surgical procedures and 3,607 deliveries in 2025 despite facing challenges. Patient representative Makoro Gertrude Kondé praised the Open Days for enhancing dialogue and understanding but highlighted the issue of insufficient staffing in some departments, leading to increased waiting times and delays in patient care.
Technical Advisor Bassidou Saré, representing the Minister of Health, emphasized that the event serves as a crucial platform for accountability and trust-building between public health service users and professionals, promoting quality and patient-centered care.
Adjara Sandrine Kientega/Ouédraogo noted that the initiative aligns with national health policy guidelines, underlining the importance of community engagement in the CHR's operations. She encouraged active participation from the community in the scheduled activities. The launch ceremony concluded with a tour of the stands showcasing the services and offerings of the Dedougou Regional Hospital Center.