Burkina Faso Initiates RTS, S/S01 Malaria Vaccine ProgramSearch Continues for Newborn Stolen from Health Center in Fada N’Gourma

KOUDOUGOU – Burkina Faso has embarked on a significant public health initiative with the national launch of the RTS, S/S01 malaria vaccine, aimed at combating the prevalent threat of malaria among children in the region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, the vaccine rollout began in Koudougou on February 5, 2024, targeting children at critical ages for malaria exposure. The vaccination schedule includes four doses administered at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age. Dr. Kargougou expressed optimism about the program, noting the acquisition of over 800,000 doses out of a projected need of nearly 3 million doses for 2024. This initiative marks a significant effort by the Burkinabè government to reduce the incidence of malaria, historically the leading cause of mortality, hospitalization, and morbidity in Burkina Faso.

FADA N’GOURMA – Authorities in Fada N’Gourma are continuing their search for a newborn kidnapped from a local health center nearly a month ago, in a distressing incident that has shaken the community.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the abduction occurred on January 8, 2024, around 1 pm, when an unidentified woman employed deceit to take a newborn from a mother who had just given birth. The mother, awaiting treatment at the time, was approached by the woman who offered to hold the baby under the guise of kindness, suggesting the mother take the opportunity to get something to eat. However, upon the mother’s return, both the supposed good Samaritan and the infant were gone.

Complicating the search efforts is the fact that the kidnapper was wearing a full veil at the time of the abduction, obscuring her identity. Witnesses reported seeing a woman fitting the suspect’s description loitering around the health center several days prior to the incident, yet, despite these accounts, the woman has yet to be located.

Nearly a month has passed since the theft, and as AIB sources confirm, efforts to find the missing child and the perpetrator continue without success. The community remains hopeful for the child’s safe return as authorities press on with their investigation.