Oubri: The Regional Health Directorate is requesting support from established bodies for the campaign against schistosomiasis. The Regional Health Directorate of Oubri held an advocacy workshop on November 20, 2025, at the Ziniare Governorate, with the aim of mobilizing constituted bodies for the mass treatment campaign against schistosomiasis, scheduled from November 24 to 29, 2025.

According to Burkina Information Agency, schistosomiasis, more commonly known as bilharzia, affects approximately 251 million people worldwide, with 90% of those cases occurring in Africa. In Burkina Faso, the strategy to combat the disease involves an annual mass treatment campaign. In the Oubri region, 218 cases were recorded in 2024, primarily affecting rural areas.

Presiding over the workshop's opening, the Regional Secretary General, Ibrahim Boly, highlighted the need for community engagement to ensure the campaign's success. He stressed that the campaign involves more than just medication or healthcare teams and requires collective mobilization to inform, raise awareness, and persuade the population.

According to the Regional Director of Health, Dr. Ambroise Ouedraogo, schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by a trematode, which can impact the intestines and urogenital system. He explained that the first signs of the disease appear a few days after exposure and include itching, diarrhea, and coughing, with a risk of evolving into serious long-term complications such as kidney damage or infertility. Dr. Ouedraogo reassured that an effective treatment is available.

The campaign's objective is to administer treatment to 476,060 people aged five and over in the region. Public authorities have been called upon to support social mobilization efforts to encourage public participation. The Regional Director emphasized that by accepting the treatment, individuals protect both themselves and their community.