Tenkodogo: On the sidelines of the opening of the Regional Crafts Fair (SARA) in the Nakambe region, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Rimtaalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, successively galvanized the fighting forces of the 61st Commando Infantry Regiment (61st RIC) and encouraged the staff of the hemodialysis center of the Regional Hospital Center (CHR) of Tenkodogo, during a visit this Friday.
According to Burkina Information Agency, at the parade ground of the 61st RIC, the Head of Government first invited the troops to observe a minute of silence in memory of the soldiers and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) who fell in combat in defense of the national territory. The Prime Minister sent a message of pride, hope, and commitment to the fighting forces deployed in the Nakambe region. He emphasized that, thanks to the troops’ commitment, areas previously under threat have been secured, allowing displaced populations to return to their villages and resume their agropastoral and commercial activities.
“You are the pride of the Burkinabe people. The devastated population is regaining its dignity thanks to your determination,” he declared in front of the soldiers, police officers, gendarmes, water and forestry agents, customs officers, prison security guards, and Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland mobilized alongside him. The Prime Minister, Head of Government, insisted on unity and cohesion as essential conditions for victory: “Here, I see fighters standing as one, with the same goal: to defend the homeland. This newfound harmony with the people constitutes a major source of conviction that victory is certain.”
Rimtaalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment, under the guidance of the President of Faso, to strengthening the operational capabilities of the fighting forces, in terms of personnel and equipment. He also praised the citizen mobilization through the Patriotic Support Fund, a sign of a people united behind its defenders. The Prime Minister announced that the end of the rainy season marks a new phase of operations aimed at retaking more localities and securing the territory for the long term. He invoked divine protection for the forces deployed throughout the country.
Following the 61st RIC, the Head of Government visited the hemodialysis center at the Tenkodogo University Hospital. Commissioned in January 2024, this center is a response to the heavy pressure previously exerted on the Ouagadougou center, where many patients had to go every week. According to statistics presented to the Prime Minister, approximately 5,700 dialysis sessions have already been performed since the center opened, and 90 patients are currently being treated, divided into three groups with twelve operational dialysis stations. Access to free care has increased the center’s attendance since the first few weeks.
Officials, however, cited persistent challenges, including the need for specialized staff. Rimtaalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo congratulated the workers for their commitment and reassured them that the Government’s efforts will continue to improve the technical platform, working conditions, and the availability of qualified personnel. He recalled that, despite the security context, health remains a priority, with 12% of the national budget devoted to the sector.
The Prime Minister then visited the newly built nephrology department, which is expected to be operational before the end of the year, thanks to the equipment already purchased. He also announced the upcoming opening of five new hemodialysis centers, notably in Gaoua and Banfora by the first quarter of 2026, before the gradual deployment of other units in Kaya and Manga.