Senegal: demonstration in Louga following the death of a pregnant woman in hospital
The death of a pregnant woman in hospital provokes anger and indignation in Senegal (illustration image) © Shutterstock - Liderina
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Demonstrators took to the streets this Friday morning April 15 in Louga - 200 kilometers from Dakar - to demand justice for Astou Sokhna, this young 9-month pregnant woman who died at the regional hospital due to "
negligence
" according to his family, who took legal action.
The hospital director was removed from his post on Wednesday, while the health minister spoke of a "
preventable maternal death
" at a press conference on Thursday which did not calm protesters.
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With our special correspondent in Louga,
Théa Ollivier
Several hundred demonstrators marched this morning from the town hall to the governance of the city of Louga.
Many wore a t-shirt with a photo of Astou Sokhna, whose name they chanted and for whom they demanded justice.
Despite the heat in the middle of Ramadan, women of all ages and men also came to express their "fed up", like Fatoumata Gueye, a young demonstrator who explains that this is not the first time that a similar case is taking place in this hospital and which calls for action to be taken.
#JusticepourAstou A crowd gathered in Louga to demand justice for the pregnant woman who died at the regional hospital due to the negligence of the nursing staff according to her family.
Recurrent gynecological and obstetrical violence according to the demonstrators.
#kebetu pic.twitter.com/vrOsLI3f0t
— Théa Ollivier (@OllivierThea) April 15, 2022
At the end of the march, the Justice for Astou Sokhna collective presented the governor with a memorandum.
Among the demands: better working conditions for health personnel so that they can provide the necessary care to patients and the recruitment of gynecologists.
Astou Sokhna's family filed a complaint for "negligence and failure to assist a person in danger".
On Thursday, health personnel held a sit-in to deny this thesis and demand an investigation with autopsy.
Another demonstration of support for Astou Sokhna will be organized on April 23 in Dakar.
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To read and listen: Senegal: the death of a pregnant woman raises questions about the health system
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