Ouagadougou: The Minister of Health, Jean-Claude Robert Kargougou, conducted a nighttime visit to the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Bogodogo to welcome the first baby of 2026, a girl weighing three kilograms, born exactly at midnight. The visit not only marked the arrival of the newborn but also served to observe the functioning of healthcare services during the holiday period and to motivate the hospital staff on duty.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Kargougou's visit was aimed at assessing the working conditions and commitment levels of the hospital personnel. He emphasized the importance of health workers, particularly the VDP health workers, who continue to provide care despite the holiday celebrations. "We came to see for ourselves on the ground. While some are celebrating the holidays, health workers are on the job and providing care to patients and the injured," the minister stated, highlighting the continuous operation of health facilities.

The visit was also a gesture of solidarity from the government towards health workers, reassuring them of its dedication to improving their working conditions to meet the population's healthcare needs effectively. Minister Kargougou expressed his best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2026 to the health staff and all Burkinabe, hoping for a year filled with peace, health, security, and enhanced investment in the health sector.

The father of the newborn, Daouda Lofo, expressed gratitude to the medical team and the Minister of Health for his presence. He noted that the minister's visit demonstrated his close monitoring of the health sector's operations. This ministerial visit highlights the health authorities' commitment to staying connected with both staff and the public, reinforcing health as a national priority.