Health emergencies: A national-level hospital announced in Kaolack

Health system stakeholders reviewed, during a two-day workshop in Kaolack, the coordination mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating health emergencies.

Chaired by the Director General of Public Health Establishments (EPS), Dr. Fallou Niang, this meeting is part of the implementation of the National Strategic Emergency Plan and aims to consolidate preparedness and response capacities in the face of health emergencies.

According to Dr. Fallou Niang, "the activity focuses on coordinating emergency services in the Kaolack region and falls within the framework of both the implementation and evaluation of the National Strategic Emergency Plan. The idea is to take stock of the emergency care system in the region with all stakeholders, identify shortcomings, and, where possible, determine the levers that can be activated to further strengthen emergency care, which often constitutes the first point of contact for users with hospital services."

It is a major priority for our highest authorities. This has been materialized in the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050, but also in the Sectoral Policy Letter of the Ministry of Health in these strategic areas where strengthening emergency care is a major priority.

"On the instructions of the authorities, we are developing this strategic plan with a view to reviewing the healthcare system in each region. The idea is to design and build healthcare sovereignty in each area. In Kaolack, we revisited the issues related to human resources and infrastructure," he explained.

It should be emphasized that a lot of effort has been made in the region in terms of coordination , in terms of strengthening hospital care.

Indeed, a branch of the national emergency medical service (SAMU) is deployed in the area, working closely with the national fire brigade. All services involved in emergency response at the hospital and healthcare facilities have also been strengthened, with performance indicators being reviewed and many positive results recorded.

According to the director of Public Health Establishments, "this effort must be sustained and continued for the well-being of our population. This activity will allow us to evaluate and test these systems and ensure that they meet the needs of the population and provide solutions that will strengthen emergency care, including specific needs related to certain sectors such as vascular, neurological, and trauma-related issues, because Kaolack is a crossroads where there are many accidents."

“Today, in the outlook of His Excellency the President of the Republic, it is planned, as part of the upgrading of the technical platform, to establish a national level hospital in Kaolack which will strengthen the provision of care in terms of health and health sovereignty of the region,” he concluded.