Burkina Faso Launches National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis

The National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis was launched in the town square of Ouahigouya in North West Burkina Faso

On Thursday May 6th, the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis was launched in the town square of Ouahigouya in North West Burkina Faso, 180 km from the capital Ouagadougou. The ceremony was attended by His Majesty the King of Yatenga and the Minister of Health, the Hon Alain Yoda, and the permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Health and Education. Other important guests included Dr Mohamad Mahmoud Hacen, the World Health Organisation country representative, plus schistosomiasis project managers from Cote D’Ivoire, Mali and Niger, the regional WHO officer responsible for endemic diseases Dr Abdoulaye Diarra, and several local High Commissioners.

From SCI, the Director Dr Alan Fenwick spoke at the opening and pledged support to the programme for four years. Dr Albis Gabrielli (Country Coordinator), Dr Seydou Touré (National Coordinator) and Dr Jean Noel Poda (Monitoring and Evaluation) participated in the ceremony as did Dr and Mrs Bertrand Sellin from RISEAL, the NGO which acts as local manager for SCI in Burkina Faso.

Image: Dr Mohamad Mahmoud Hacen (WHO Country Representative) administers praziquantel and albendazole treatment to children

As has become the norm for launch events, there was bright music and dancing, and poetry from school children. Some children were treated with praziquantel and albendazole. The Hon Alain Yoda praised the work of the local coordinator Dr Seydou Touré, and thanked SCI and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their support.

After the opening ceremony the dignitaries were received by His Majesty the King of Yatenga who thanked everyone for their support towards improving the health of the children of the District and the country. The programme team has already started mapping and collecting base line data. It is planned to treat some 500,000 people during October/November 2004, and over 1 million in 2005.