The Saliou Ndao Health Center in Kaffrine inaugurated its new operating theater on Thursday, November 14, 2025. The theater is now fully operational. The ceremony, presided over by Prefect Aïchatou Ndiaye Diallo Bodian, brought together administrative authorities, healthcare personnel, technical and financial partners, and community representatives.

The Prefect welcomed this as a major step forward in access to healthcare:

"This infrastructure will strengthen the modernization of the health system and contribute to relieving pressure on emergency rooms, particularly for maternal and child health." She thanked the Ismaël project, which financed the rehabilitation, and Enabel for the equipment, estimated at over 25 million FCFA, as well as the staff training, costing 16 million FCFA.

With this operating block, the Saliou Ndao Health Centre acquires the status of a level 2 centre, as highlighted by the chief physician, Dr Christophe Kanfoum: it can now carry out surgical interventions, a decisive step in the fight against maternal, neonatal and infant mortality.

Enabel reaffirmed its commitment. Dr. Guirassy noted that the operating room is equipped and staffed with trained personnel to ensure continuous care, while also announcing Belgium's willingness to support a second dedicated team.

Immediately after its inauguration, the unit hosted three successful procedures, confirming its operational readiness and the dynamism of the teams. Authorities praised the involvement of local communities, community liaisons, “Bajenu Gox” (community health workers), and healthcare professionals, reiterating that “community public health is a shared responsibility.”

This new operating block opens a new era for Kaffrine: faster, safer and more local care, materialized from the very first hours by successful interventions.