Ouagadougou: The Zorgho health district, in partnership with the Sanbrado Mining Company (SOMISA), launched the activities of the month “Pink October” at the Boudry Health and Social Promotion Center (CSPS) on Monday, October 20, 2025. The ceremony was chaired by the High Commissioner of Ganzourgou Province, Ms. Aminata Sorgho/Gouba.
According to Burkina Information Agency, “Pink October” is a global campaign to combat breast cancer, aiming to inform, raise awareness, and encourage early detection among women to enhance recovery chances. In Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Health and its partners conduct communication campaigns and free screenings annually across the country. In Boudry, the launch featured awareness sessions and screenings for breast and cervical cancer.
SOMISA’s senior community relations coordinator in charge of community health, Ms. Christelle Fomeni, stated that the company initiated activities on October 19 at its mining site before extending operations to the municipality. “SOMISA is acting within the framework of its social responsibility. We plan to screen at least 100 women this year in the villages. The priority is to help women understand these diseases, which are still little known in the villages,” she explained.
Dr. Delphin Kabore, the chief physician of the Zorgho health district, highlighted the concrete impact of previous editions. In 2023, during the campaign organized in Pousghin, six women were diagnosed with breast tumors, four of whom underwent surgery and two were treated with medication. In 2024, in Mankarga traditionnelle, four cases of precancerous lesions were also treated. “This year, we don’t want to discover new cases, but to be sure, every woman must be screened,” he stated, announcing a target of more than 200 women for screening in the 2025 campaign.
Testimonials from participants underscored the actions’ usefulness. Ms. Therese Zangre/Zangre welcomed the initiative: “We were unaware of the steps to benefit from screening. It’s a blessing for us to have these services here in Boudry.”
The High Commissioner of Ganzourgou Province, Ms. Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, stressed the importance of early screening, stating it saves lives. She urged women to overcome fear and shame and encouraged husbands to support health center visits. “The fight against breast and cervical cancer is a common cause,” she said, thanking SOMISA for its health initiatives and urging continued efforts.
Under the theme “Let’s act together for a future without breast cancer,” the 2025 edition focuses on community mobilization and local services. Through this campaign, the Zorgho health district and SOMISA aim to make screening more accessible to women, particularly in rural areas, and contribute to reducing female cancers in Ganzourgou province.