A team from the Société Malienne de Gynécologie-Obstétrique (SOMAGO), led by Dr. Lamine Traoré, arrived in Kangaba on November 2, 2026, to launch the second edition of the SOMAGO Regional Conference, Koulikoro 2026. The launch ceremony took place at the CSCOM central in Kangaba and was presided over by Moussa Diarra, head of the local Social Development and Solidarity Economy service. Representatives from various organizations and associations, as well as numerous women from across Kangaba, attended the event.
The health of mothers, newborns, and infants remains a significant public health challenge in the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Mali, the government, technical and financial partners, learned societies, and professional organizations have made considerable efforts. However, maternal, perinatal, and neonatal mortality rates remain concerning and require accelerated interventions, competency reinforcement, and specialized services closer to the population.
SOMAGO organized the first edition of its regional conference in Kayes in 2024, which was a total success with a 523% realization rate. This achievement justifies the organization of the second edition in the Koulikoro region, specifically in Kangaba. The second edition aims to consolidate the model, improve service tracking, enhance beneficiary follow-up, and document obtained health results.
The general objective of the second edition is to strengthen the quality of care in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as maternal, neonatal, and infant health in the Koulikoro region. This will be achieved through community interventions, training, experience sharing, and using proven data. Specific objectives include capitalizing on and scaling up the achievements of Kayes 2024, providing free screening for precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions, and treating eligible lesions immediately.
The conference will also focus on organizing biopsies, references, and documented follow-ups for suspect lesions not eligible for immediate treatment, screening for breast anomalies, and documenting references for suspect cases. Additionally, the conference aims to identify, evaluate, and manage high-risk or pathological pregnancies in the Kangaba health district and conduct obstetrical ultrasounds according to clinical indications.
The three-day conference encourages women to mobilize and achieve the desired results, including the free screening of 2000 women in the Koulikoro region. The event is a crucial step towards improving maternal, neonatal, and infant health in the region.
The launch of the second edition of the SOMAGO Regional Conference in Kangaba demonstrates the organization's commitment to promoting excellence in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as reproductive health, through continuous training, research, advocacy, and support for national health policies.
Key points
- SOMAGO aims to strengthen the quality of care in obstetrics and gynecology in the Koulikoro region through community interventions, training, and experience sharing.
