Senegal/Tivaouane: an association presents a national program to tackle health challenges

The "Zillalou Ahlou Souffa" association (shelter for the needy, in Arabic) has presented a national health program aimed at improving access to healthcare for the most vulnerable populations, an initiative this structure intends to implement in all 14 regions of Senegal.

Health, the "essential pillar" of well-being, "is not just the absence of disease, but the possibility of living fully, working, learning and hoping", stressed Serigne Alioune Ba, General Secretary of "Zillalou Ahlou Souffa", at the program's presentation ceremony on Thursday in Tivaouane.Serigne Alioune Ba, General Secretary of "Zillalou Ahlou Souffa", underlined this at the program's presentation ceremony in Tivaouane on Thursday.

He believes that Senegal is facing "major health challenges that can be overcome through collective mobilization", pointing to cardiovascular diseases (heart disease, stroke, stroke) and the need for a more effective response.These include cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

Serigne Alioune Ba also cited cataracts, the leading cause of avoidable blindness, particularly in rural areas, and the chronic shortage of blood products.

Female cancers, particularly cervical and breast cancer, anemia in pregnant women, malnutrition and infectious diseases in children are also priority issues, according to Serigne Alioune Ba, who is also head physician at the Zawiyya El Hadji Malick Sy health facility in Tivaouane.

Faced with this situation, the association, which is essentially made up of doctors, is planning a series of local medical consultations, provided by specialists (cardiologists, diabetics, etc.).cialists (cardiologists, diabetologists, gynecologists, general practitioners and midwives), for early detection and follow-up of the most common pathologies.

The program also aims to bring free cataract surgery to rural and landlocked areas such as Casamance, the east, north and center of the country.

The structure intends to organize regular blood donation campaigns, in order to strengthen national blood safety.

With regard to maternal health, iron supplements will be administered and ultrasound scans offered to pregnant women, with a view to preventing anemia and detecting complications at an early stage.

At the same time, the "Zillalou Ahlou Souffa" association plans to organize free screening campaigns for female cancers, accompanied by socio-culturally adapted awareness campaigns.

For children under the age of 10, the association is planning deworming campaigns, as well as stepping up efforts to combat malnutrition, sickle-cell anemia and infectious diseases.

According to Abdourahmane Guissé, vice-president and spokesman for "Zillalou Ahlou Souffa", the association insisted on the need for community mobilization and support from the authorities.

He appealed to local authorities, community leaders and healthcare professionals to provide local health services, notably by deploying mobile clinics and improving the distribution of specialties across the country.

Mr Guissé pointed out that the annual program presented aims above all to strengthen national solidarity and provide concrete, tailored responses to the needs of the most disadvantaged populations.

Clearly, the aim is to save lives, prevent avoidable suffering and guarantee equal opportunities in terms of health, through collective, nationwide citizen action.

Source: aps.sn/