DÉDOUGOU—The Mgr Zéphyrin Toé Medical Center in Dédougou has officially upgraded to a Medical Center with a Surgical Branch (CMA) following the inauguration of its new maternity ward on Saturday, July 27. The newly opened facility, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, hospital rooms, and an operating theater, was completed at a total cost of 317 million CFA francs.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Abbot Jean Zougouri, the upgrade is a significant step in improving maternal, neonatal, and child care services in the region. He emphasized that this development aligns with Burkina Faso’s public health policies and enhances the capacity of the Dédougou Health District. “The elevation of the Zéphirin Toé Medical Center into a medical center with a surgical branch does not constitute a goal, but on the contrary, the starting point of a more global project to improve the quality of care, especially maternal, neonatal, and child care,” Zougouri stated.
The Chief Physician of the Dédougou Health District, Nathalie Ouadeba, welcomed the initiative, noting that the diocese’s contribution strengthens the local healthcare system and plays a crucial role in improving population health. Adjara Kientéga, Secretary General of Boucle du Mouhoun and godmother of the ceremony, highlighted the importance of maternal, neonatal, and child health in Burkina Faso, where maternal mortality remains high. She expressed gratitude to the diocese and the medical center’s leadership for their efforts in complementing government initiatives to provide quality healthcare.
The Bishop of Dédougou, Mgr Prosper Bonaventure KY, expressed the Church’s pride in providing the community with this vital healthcare infrastructure, describing it as the realization of a long-held dream supported by the Christian values of solidarity and love for one’s neighbor.
The inauguration ceremony began with a Thanksgiving Mass, followed by the blessing of the new facilities. Internally displaced persons also received kits containing blankets and mosquito nets as part of the event.