Burkina Faso Newspapers Highlight Security, Health, and Justice IssuesSolenzo Health District Launches Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign
OUAGADOUGOU – Burkina Faso’s daily newspapers covered a range of pressing issues on Tuesday, including a defamation trial, the nutritional health of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and a tragic mosque attack in Natiaboani that resulted in 14 fatalities.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the oldest private daily, the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) reported 14 deaths from the attack on the Natiaboani mosque, with two victims succumbing to their injuries at the hospital.
Le Pays, another private daily, emphasized that the casualties included the Grand Imam of the locality, extending FAIB’s condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities. In a separate report, Le Pays covered the defamation trial against Adama Siguiré, noting that the case, which opened on February 26, 2024, at the Ouaga I high court, was postponed to March 4 after a three-hour debate. The delay stemmed from a preliminary issue raised by Siguiré’s lawyers, challenging the validity of the summons delivered by a lawyer instead of a bailiff, which they argued constituted a significant procedural flaw.
On a different note, L’Observateur Paalga highlighted AFRICSanté’s innovative project in Houndé, aimed at improving the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women through dietary supplements with local products like peanut paste and soy. The initiative, named ‘Micronutrient, Mother and Child Health MISAME3,’ reportedly yielded positive outcomes and was presented on February 26 to health ministry officials and the scientific community’s technical and financial partners, as reported by Sidwaya.
These stories reflect the diverse and critical issues facing Burkina Faso, from security challenges and judicial processes to health initiatives designed to bolster the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Solenzo – In response to a measles outbreak, the Solenzo health district has initiated a vaccination campaign targeting 59,130 children aged between 9 and 59 months. The campaign, which runs from February 26 to March 3, 2024, aims to administer measles and rubella vaccines to children across the district, irrespective of their previous vaccination history.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Chief Medical Officer of the Solenzo health district, the vaccination effort was originally scheduled for April 2024 but was advanced due to the emergence of a measles epidemic in the area. To date, 41 cases of measles have been confirmed among the local population. Yelkouni attributes the outbreak in part to the insecurity in the region, which has prevented many children from receiving their full course of vaccinations.
For the duration of the campaign, 20 vaccination sites have been established across Solenzo, with healthcare workers aiming to reach a coverage target of 95%. Abdoul Kader Konzabre, the Secretary-General of Banwa province, has called upon all residents to ensure that children within the specified age group are brought to these sites for vaccination. The campaign represents a critical step toward eradicating measles from Banwa province and safeguarding the health of its youngest residents.