Mouhoun: As part of the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the National Armed Forces, the Dedougou garrison organized, on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24, 2025, a vast campaign of free consultation and care, screening for breast and cervical cancers, as well as a blood donation operation.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this initiative, led by the Dedougou military medical center in collaboration with the city’s mobile clinic, made it possible to provide care and awareness-raising to hundreds of women from different municipalities in the Mouhoun province on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24, 2025. Several people joined this initiative by voluntarily donating blood to save lives.
The commander of the 51st Infantry and Cavalry Regiment (RIC), Commander Ambroise Belemkoabga, recalled that this activity was part of a series of actions marking the commemoration. “After the cross-country race and before the official ceremony, we wanted to take a strong action in favor of public health. These free consultations and this blood donation reflect our commitment to strengthening the army-nation bond, the central theme of this commemoration,” he declared. He added that these health actions show that the army and the population are marching together towards the same ideal: that of a united, supportive and healthy Burkina Faso.
For his part, the joint regional director of the Bankui health service, Captain Bienvenu Zoungrana, indicated that the campaign reached 300 people who benefited from awareness raising on the early detection of gynecological cancers and on the early detection of breast and cervical cancer. There were 87 gynecological consultations carried out, 54 colposcopies and IVA/IVL for the screening of precancerous lesions of the cervix, 60 ultrasound-mammograms performed and 922 blood bags collected, an increasing figure which testifies to the strong mobilization of the population.
“In a context of blood shortage, particularly due to malaria, childbirth and the care of the wounded, this action comes at the right time,” added the joint regional director of the Banku health service. He encouraged women who have not yet been able to get tested to go to health facilities to benefit from this free and vital service.
In addition to screening and blood donation, the medical team at the Dedougou military medical center provided general medicine consultations, with a total of 149 patients receiving free treatment. The beneficiary populations welcomed this initiative which illustrates the social and human dimension of the National Armed Forces. Through this community health campaign, the Dedougou garrison confirms that defending the homeland also involves preserving the health of citizens, particularly that of women, the pillars of society.