The Presidency of Cote d'Ivoire recently organized several activities to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer as part of the national "Octobre Rose" campaign. The campaign, which took place from October 23 to 27, 2026, aimed to encourage women to get screened and promote knowledge about the disease. The activities were organized for the personnel of the institution, with the goal of promoting early detection and treatment.
On October 14, 2026, President Alassane Ouattara and Vice-President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné showed their support for the campaign by wearing pink ribbons, the symbol of breast cancer awareness. The Directorate of Human Resources also distributed pink ribbons to all personnel on October 23, 2026. These activities demonstrated the Presidency's commitment to the fight against cancer.
A conference on breast cancer was held on October 24, 2026, at the Banco forest, which was attended by personnel of the Presidency. The conference, led by Dr. Augustin Bilé Kouamé, focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. Dr. Kouamé highlighted the importance of early detection and provided information on the disease, its causes, and its treatment.
According to Dr. Kouamé, Cote d'Ivoire has recorded 4,000 new cases of breast cancer and 2,000 deaths in recent years. These statistics underscore the need for increased awareness and early detection. The conference aimed to educate personnel on the importance of breast cancer screening and encourage them to adopt preventive measures.
On October 27, 2026, the Presidency organized a breast and cervical cancer screening session for female personnel and spouses of workers at the institution. The screening was conducted by a mobile team from the Ministry of Health, Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage. Professor Judith Didi-Kouko Coulibaly, Director-General of the Alassane Ouattara National Oncology Center, was present at the session and provided advice to participants.
The Presidency's initiative aimed to associate awareness with concrete preventive action by facilitating access to screening. The activities organized by the Presidency demonstrated its commitment to the fight against cancer and encouraged personnel to take proactive steps towards their health.
The campaign also highlighted the importance of sports and physical activity in promoting health. The President of the Sports, Leisure, and Culture Committee of the Presidency, Drissa Ouattara, emphasized that sports are considered a factor of unity, cohesion, and health. The strong mobilization of personnel during the activities demonstrated the institution's adherence to the campaign.
Key points
- The Presidency of Cote d'Ivoire organized a series of activities to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer.
- The activities included conferences, screening sessions, and sports events aimed at promoting early detection and treatment.
- The campaign highlighted the importance of breast cancer awareness and encouraged women to get screened.
