Dedougou: Student Andre Doulkom, from the Saint Augustin Higher Polytechnic Institute of Dedougou (ISPSAD), defended his Master's thesis in project management on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Dedougou, focusing on "The management of deadlines in health infrastructure projects in Burkina Faso: a case study of the construction and equipping project of the Regional University Hospital Center of Dedougou (PCE CHUR-DDG)".
According to Burkina Information Agency, the construction and equipping of health infrastructure in Burkina Faso is a strategic priority aimed at enhancing access to and quality of healthcare services. Despite the crucial nature of these projects, they frequently face significant delays, undermining their effectiveness and anticipated impact. Andre Doulkom's study specifically addresses this issue by examining the management of deadlines in hospital construction projects, using the Construction and Equipment Project of the Regional University Hospital Center of Dedougou as a case study.
Doulkom's research highlights the critical importance of deadline management in developing the national health system, emphasizing that delays in implementing hospital infrastructure projects can jeopardize investment outcomes and healthcare improvements. His analysis identifies substantial delays caused by administrative slowness, delayed funding releases, and organizational shortcomings, despite initial planning being generally satisfactory but lacking robust operational monitoring tools.
The study further identifies limitations in institutional coordination, which are exacerbated by unclear role distribution and inadequate technical and managerial capacities. According to Doulkom, these issues hinder the timely achievement of project objectives, resulting in under-utilization of resources, demotivation among partner companies, and frustration among communities awaiting the commissioning of new infrastructure.
While acknowledging the constraints of focusing on a single case, Doulkom's research proposes the institutionalization of modern time management tools, enhancing coordination team capacities, and securing financing mechanisms to improve hospital project governance and public action performance sustainably. His comprehensive analysis of the project's phases highlights constraints faced and potential mechanisms for improving time management.
Doulkom's methodological approach combined document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and quantitative and qualitative data to support his findings. He emphasized the necessity of rigorous planning, a realistic execution schedule, and continuous activity monitoring to prevent project completion delays.
This defense marks a pivotal moment in Andre Doulkom's academic journey and underscores the significance of applied research in enhancing public infrastructure project management. His work contributes meaningfully to discussions on the efficacy of health project implementation in Burkina Faso, specifically concerning the stalled construction of the new Regional University Hospital Center of Dedougou.
The ISPSAD university community lauded Doulkom's outstanding performance, which enriches project management research and encourages student engagement in national development challenges. At the defense's conclusion, Doulkom expressed deep gratitude to God and acknowledged the support of stakeholders who contributed to his academic success. He concluded with a quote from the late Burkinabe writer Pacere Frederic Titinga, emphasizing the ongoing need for effort, learning, and commitment in development service.
The jury, chaired by Flatie Victor Sanfo, praised the relevance of the theme, the quality of the analysis, and the scientific rigor of Doulkom's work, awarding him a grade of 17.5/20 with the distinction of Very Good.