NOUNA — The first session of the Nouna District Health Council, led by High Commissioner Noufo Dembelé, was held on August 30, 2024, to address and improve health services in Kossi province, with a particular focus on maternal and child health.

According to Burkina Information Agency, stakeholders reviewed the current health conditions, including the operational status of health facilities, health indicators, and the monitoring of health events. The meeting, spearheaded by High Commissioner Dembelé, emphasized the need for comprehensive participation from all attendees to devise effective strategies for elevating healthcare quality across the province.

Jonas Bourgou, a member of the management team, detailed the challenges posed by insecurity, which has significantly impacted health service provision. Of the 54 health facilities in the district, only 32 are currently operational, and all the COGES management committees have seen their mandates expire. The financial uptake of resources was reported at 54%, indicating a gap in funding utilization.

The council session also highlighted the resilience of health personnel amidst ongoing security challenges and discussed the status of monitored diseases, noting that while some conditions have not reached epidemiological thresholds, there remains a significant burden due to the precarious security situation.

Recommendations from the session included the commissioning of new medical imaging facilities, opening of the CSPS in sector 4, reinitiation of health training programs, and renewal of the COGES management committees by year’s end, all aimed at improving access to and quality of healthcare for the province’s residents.