The Centre de santé et de référence (Csréf) in collaboration with the Service local du développement social et de l’économie solidaire de Ouélessébougou launched a free cancer screening and care campaign for cervical and breast cancer. The campaign took place at the Centre de santé communautaire (Cscom) central in Ouélessébougou from November 2-4. This initiative is part of the activities of the second edition of the Régionale de la Société malienne de gynécologie obstétrique (SOMAGO), leading up to its 10th congress.
The main objective of the campaign is to make screening, a crucial tool for secondary prevention, accessible to a larger number of women from the most vulnerable communities. The event was attended by Mme Mounkoro Koura Koné, the second deputy prefect, the mayor of the Commune de Ouélessébougou, representatives of SOMAGO, and key local public health actors. Their presence underscores the importance they place on this activity.
Mme Mounkoro Koura Koné, in her address, highlighted the considerable efforts made by the government, technical and financial partners, companies, and professional organizations to improve reproductive health. However, she noted that maternal, perinatal, and neonatal mortality remain concerning and require accelerated interventions with a significant impact. These interventions should focus on strengthening the skills of healthcare providers and bringing specialized services closer to the population.
Mme Mounkoro expressed her gratitude to SOMAGO for its mission to promote excellence in gynecology-obstetrics and reproductive health through continuous training, scientific research, advocacy, and support for national health policies. She emphasized that the success of this activity relies on the collective commitment of all actors, including healthcare professionals, authorities, partners, and beneficiary communities.
Dr. Abdrahamane Dicko, the chief medical officer of the Ouélessébougou District, specified that qualified medical teams and adapted equipment were mobilized to welcome women in the Central Community Health Centers of Ouélessébougou, Mana, N’tentoubougou, and Seguessona throughout the campaign. This ensures that women have access to quality care and screening services.
The campaign aims to provide free screening and care for cervical and breast cancer, two of the most common cancers affecting women in Mauritania. By bringing these services closer to the population, the organizers hope to encourage more women to undergo screening and receive timely treatment. Early detection and treatment are critical in improving health outcomes for women with cancer.
The free cancer screening and care campaign in Ouélessébougou demonstrates the commitment of local authorities and health organizations to improving women's health in Mauritania. By working together, they aim to reduce the burden of cancer and improve health outcomes for women in the region. The success of this campaign will depend on continued collaboration and community engagement.
Key points
- The campaign was launched in collaboration with the Société malienne de gynécologie obstétrique (SOMAGO) and local health authorities.
- Qualified medical teams and adapted equipment were mobilized to provide quality care and screening services.
- The campaign aims to make screening accessible to a larger number of women from vulnerable communities.
