Ouagadougou: Bonvouila Sawadogo successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Public Health at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou on Monday. His thesis, entitled "National Quality Framework at the Tengandogo University Hospital Center: Implementation, Compliance with Requirements, Appropriation of Achievements by Stakeholders, and Lessons Learned," was awarded the degree of Doctor with Highest Honors.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the research offers an in-depth analysis of quality dynamics in one of the largest hospitals in Burkina Faso. Before a jury of eminent professors from Burkina Faso, Benin, and Mali, the candidate presented the results of several years of field research. The jury was chaired by Professor Hamadoun Sangho, a tenured professor of public health at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako. It included professors from various universities, highlighting the interdisciplinary collaboration across nations.
In his demonstration, Bonvouila Sawadogo illustrated how implementing the National Quality Framework at the Tengandogo University Hospital, particularly obtaining ISO certification, can enhance public confidence and improve adherence to healthcare services. He emphasized that quality extends beyond theoretical texts, requiring contextual understanding, resource mobilization, and support from on-ground actors.
Sawadogo's study documents not only the progress but also the human and relational conditions necessary for a quality policy to yield lasting effects in health facilities. Professor Maxime Koin¨ Drabo, the thesis supervisor, commended the research for its potential to inspire future reforms and stressed the importance of documenting reforms and ensuring stakeholder buy-in to achieve conclusive results.
After deliberations, the jury awarded Sawadogo the degree of Doctor of Public Health with the distinction of Very Honorable. This honor recognizes his research's focus on enhancing quality care within the Burkinabe health system. The new doctor expressed gratitude to his supervisors for their guidance and to his family for their support in his academic journey.