Seno: The schistosomiasis treatment campaign will be held from November 24 to 29, 2025 in the health districts of Dori, Gorom-Gorom and Djibo. The Sahel Regional Health Directorate organized an advocacy meeting in Dori with administrative authorities and community leaders. The objective was to garner their support for the mass schistosomiasis treatment campaign scheduled from November 24 to 29, 2025, in the health districts of Dori, Gorom-Gorom, and Djibo.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the session was chaired by the Secretary General (SG) of the Sahel region, Auguste Kinda. The meeting served to highlight the scale of the disease in the region, as well as the importance of local engagement to reduce its impact. In his address, Mr. Kinda emphasized that schistosomiasis goes far beyond a simple public health problem. He stated that this parasitic disease “weakens children, impairs their academic performance, reduces adult productivity, and destabilizes communities already facing security and humanitarian challenges.”
Based on data from the World Health Organization, the Secretary-General indicated that more than 250 million people are affected worldwide, with over 90% of them in Africa. He noted that populations living around water sources in Burkina Faso remain particularly vulnerable. Faced with this situation, the Sahel region will implement a large-scale mass treatment operation from November 24 to 29, 2025, in the provinces of Seno, Oudalan, and Soum.
Praziquantel will be administered in health centers, schools, markets, and other public places, in order to ensure optimal coverage. Secretary General Kinda also commended the commitment of the Ministry of Health and the continued support of technical and financial partners, whose contributions remain essential to supporting efforts to prevent and control neglected tropical diseases in the region.
Health officials are also counting on the active involvement of community leaders to encourage people to participate without hesitation in this campaign, which is essential to reduce the transmission of the disease. Through this advocacy, regional authorities aim to strengthen mobilization around the fight against schistosomiasis. The November campaign represents a crucial step in reducing the prevalence of this silent disease and improving the health and well-being of Sahelian populations.