Senegal: health unions call for mobilization after the arrest of professionals
Kolda Regional Hospital in Senegal.
(Illustration) © RFI/ Ophélie LAHCCEN
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
A strike movement was launched this Wednesday, April 21, 2022. They denounce in particular the legal proceedings carried out against six midwives from the Louga hospital, about 200 kilometers north of Dakar.
Four of them have been placed under a committal order, two are on bail.
This follows the death of Astou Sokhna, nine months pregnant, in the maternity ward.
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With our correspondent in Dakar
,
Charlotte Idrac
Astou Sokhna's family denounced "
medical negligence
"
, and the case caused an uproar in the country.
The Minister of Health spoke of “
avoidable deaths
”.
But many caregivers denounce a "lynching" of health professionals in this case.
"
Stressed
"
Since the start of the controversy, "
we have been stressed
", says Marie-Anne Bigué Sarr Basse, midwife and trainer.
The association of midwives of Senegal denounces a "
popular vindictiveness
", and affirms its "
unwavering
" support for the colleagues of Louga prosecuted, who must not "
be the lambs of sacrifice
": "
The midwives do their best .
No midwife wants to have a patient who dies.
In all the structures, there is a lack of equipment, diagnostics, everything…
”
Marie-Anne Bigué Sarr Basse insists that there is more and more room within the training for the humanization of patient care: "
Yes, there is a course for everything that is reception, communication above all.
Maybe we say that midwives have behaviors, but sometimes it's the very susceptibility that causes problems between midwives and patients
.
»
“
Question of principle, question of solidarity
”
The association calls for "maternities without a midwife" this Thursday.
A movement supported in particular by the Single Union of Health and Social Action Workers, explains its secretary general, Mballo Dia Thiam: “
For us, it's just a presumption of innocence.
And we think that so far the thesis of negligence is not a thesis that holds water.
It will be up to the judge to say.
But it's not up to the Ministry of Health to talk about negligence.
Question of principle, question of solidarity
.
»
A rally is also planned in Louga during the trial of midwives scheduled for April 27.
► To re-read: Senegal: the death of a pregnant woman raises questions about the health system
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Senegal
Health and medicine