The director of health in Kouto, Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Koné Sékou, has appealed for the rehabilitation of the Tengrela-Boundiali road, which passes through Kouto. He made this appeal during the quarterly meeting of the departmental committee on maternal deaths and response in Kouto, held at the prefecture on September 30, 2026. The road is frequently used for medical evacuations to Tengrela and Boundiali.
Dr. Koné highlighted the poor condition of the road, which causes frequent breakdowns of ambulances and increases maintenance costs for service vehicles. The state of the road also lengthens evacuation times for patients. He emphasized the challenges faced during the transportation of women in labor, who are already experiencing pain and contractions. The director of health stressed that rehabilitation of the road would enable patients to be taken to hospital more quickly and in better conditions.
According to Dr. Koné, the rehabilitation of the road would also help preserve sanitary vehicles and reduce maintenance expenses. While welcoming the announced rehabilitation project, he requested that interventions be carried out on the most degraded areas before the definitive works, to facilitate the circulation of ambulances and improve patient evacuation conditions.
The prefect of Kouto, Gnamou Angoran Pierre, president of the committee, encouraged members and health actors to continue their commitment to maternal and child health, despite difficulties encountered on the ground. The committee meeting is part of the regular monitoring of challenges related to the care of pregnant women and the search for solutions to reduce maternal deaths in the department.
Data presented during the meeting showed that 168 pregnant women were transferred from health centers in the Kouto district to referral structures between July and September 2026. Nine were transferred to Tengrela and 159 to the Boundiali Regional Public Hospital. Dr. Koné's appeal aims to improve the conditions of these transfers and reduce maternal mortality.
The rehabilitation of the Tengrela-Boundiali road is expected to have a positive impact on the health of pregnant women and patients in general. The project will not only facilitate medical evacuations but also improve access to healthcare services in the region. The authorities are expected to take Dr. Koné's appeal into consideration and implement measures to address the situation.
The quarterly meeting of the departmental committee on maternal deaths and response in Kouto highlights the importance of collaboration between health officials, local authorities, and other stakeholders in addressing health challenges in the region. The committee's efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare services are ongoing, and Dr. Koné's appeal for road rehabilitation is part of these efforts.
Key points
- Dr. Koné Sékou, director of health in Kouto, is calling for the rehabilitation of the Tengrela-Boundiali road to improve medical evacuations.
