On October 29, 2026, Gabon's Health Minister, Pr Elsa Joséphine Nkana Ayo-Bivigou, started a visit to inspect healthcare structures in the Ngounié province, located in southern Gabon. The visit began in Mouila, the provincial capital. This inspection aims to evaluate the quality of care and state of healthcare infrastructure in the region. The minister was welcomed by provincial administrative authorities and met with Ngounié Governor Francis Oyinamono before starting her visits.
The minister's delegation visited several healthcare facilities, including the Direction régionale de la santé (DRS), Centre de traitement ambulatoire (CTA), Centre de santé urbain de Mouila (CSUM), Office pharmaceutique national (OPN), and services for hygiene, maternal and infant health (SMI). They also visited EPFASS, BELLER, and the Centre hospitalier régional de Mouila (CHREM). These visits allowed the minister to assess the functioning of healthcare establishments and discuss challenges and future improvements with healthcare personnel.
At the Centre hospitalier régional de Mouila (CHREM), the minister expressed satisfaction with its operations, noting that it meets standards with a suitable technical platform. The hospital has various functional services, including a reanimation unit, imaging service with a scanner, laboratory, maternity ward, operating block, and conventional hospitalization services. This assessment is part of the minister's effort to evaluate healthcare infrastructure across the province.
The minister also visited the Direction régionale de la santé, focusing on maternal and infant health services and vaccination programs. She noted that these structures are functioning and meeting expectations but may require rehabilitation. Her inspection also covered the Office pharmaceutique national, where she announced the upcoming completion of renovation work at its Mouila branch. This renovation aims to improve access to medications in the provinces.
During her visit, the minister discussed the deployment of specialist doctors in hospital structures, citing the high frequency of cardiology and neurology services. She mentioned that the cardiologist at Lambaréné's CHR had nearly 100 consultations in a week, while the neurologist at Mouila's CHR also had a significant number of consultations. This information indicates a positive response to specialist healthcare services in the region.
The minister's mission will continue in the interior of the province, with planned visits to Ndéndé, Bongolo, and Lébamba. These visits will further assess healthcare infrastructure and identify areas for improvement. The minister's efforts aim to enhance the quality of healthcare services and address challenges faced by healthcare facilities in the Ngounié province.
The inspection tour is part of the government's efforts to improve healthcare in Gabon. By evaluating healthcare infrastructure and services, the minister can identify areas that require attention and implement measures to address these challenges. The visits will help ensure that healthcare facilities in the Ngounié province provide quality services to the local population.
Key points
- The minister inspects healthcare infrastructure in Ngounié province to evaluate the quality of care and state of facilities.
- The minister visits several healthcare facilities, including hospitals and health centers, to assess their functioning and challenges.
- The minister announces the completion of renovation work at the Office pharmaceutique national's Mouila branch to improve access to medications.
