The Mgr Zéphyrin Toé medical center becomes a medical center with a surgical branch (CMA). This follows the inauguration on Saturday July 27 of its new maternity ward equipped with an operating theatre. With a total cost of 317 million CFA francs, the building has state-of-the-art equipment, hospital rooms, diapers and an operating theater. This jewel which makes it possible to take care of women and children is, according to officials, part of Burkina Faso's public health policies in the sense that the activities reinforce the action of the Dédougou Health District.The director of the center, Abbot Jean Zougouri, recalled that the diocesan medical center places the community at the heart of its activities by facilitating the management of their health problems. ' The elevation of the Zéphirin Toé medical center into a medical center with a surgical branch does not constitute a goal, but on the contrary the starting point of a more global project to improve the quality of care, especially maternal, neonata l and child care. in particular ,' he explained. The Chief Physician of the Dédougou health district, Nathalie Ouadeba, welcomed the initiative.According to him, the diocese of Dédougou strengthens the health care system by thus contributing to improving the health of the population. For the Secretary General of Boucle du Mouhoun, Adjara Kientéga, and godmother of the ceremony, maternal, neonatal and child health is an important issue. ' In Burkina Faso, the level of maternal mortality is still high. This worrying situation deserves that all efforts be made to offer not only quality care, but also appropriate infrastructure to minimize the situation,' she indicated.Ms. Kientega expressed her gratitude to the head of the diocese of Dédougou and to the head of the medical center for this vision which complements the efforts of the government. The Bishop of Dédougou, Mgr Prosper Bonaventure KY, expressed the pride of the Church, family of God, which, in its vision, provides the population with an infrastruct ure for adequate care of their health. ' This infrastructure is the fulfillment of a dream carried by the Catholic community and nourished by the Christian values ??of solidarity and love of neighbor ,' he suggested. Before the ceremony, a Thanksgiving mass was celebrated followed by the blessing of the premises. Internally displaced people also received kits consisting of blankets and mosquito nets.Source: Burkina Information Agency