Bignona named as pilot site for Level 2 military hospital

At the end of a five-day tour of the Ziguinchor region, Armed Forces Minister Yankoba Diémé announced plans for a Level 2 military hospital in Bignona. According to information reported by Senego, the town has been selected as the pilot site for a programme to build 20 such facilities across Senegal.

The minister said the programme would be part of cooperation with China, involving the Health and Armed Forces ministries. According to him, the planned facility would help reduce territorial inequalities in access to healthcare and medical deserts.

An awaited response to healthcare provision

Yankoba Diémé also presented the project as a response to the challenges facing Bignona's Level 1 hospital. The stated objective is to strengthen local healthcare provision without requiring residents to travel as far as Dakar.

During his visit to Bignona and the Sindian district, the minister met with religious and customary authorities, village chiefs and residents. Representatives of 59 villages in the communes of Sindian, Ouonck, Suelle and Oulampane notably submitted memorandums setting out several requests.

Other projects discussed in Fogny

The minister cited the Fogny loop, the Bignona-Djibidione road and the Sindian health centre among projects whose continuation he discussed. Regarding the health centre, he said the Health Minister had already issued the necessary order.

Artist Kaby announced a national concert, scheduled for 3 October, to raise funds to help launch construction work on the Sindian health centre. Yankoba Diémé called on people from Fogny to support the facility, beyond political affiliations.

Tribute to deployed forces

The tour also paid tribute to the Defence and Security Forces deployed in the region. In Sindian, the minister commended the military personnel and other officers mobilised to protect local people, referring to their working conditions and time away from their families.