The residents of Diango, a village in the commune of Oulampane, are experiencing an uncomfortable and complicated health situation. In this village, located in the district of Sindian, department of Bignona, a health post has been under construction for years, thanks to Italian partners. However, the poorly equipped facility is still struggling to open its doors.

This is a difficult situation for the people of this area of Oulampane, who are forced to travel kilometers for healthcare.

Moussa Baldé, president of the Association for the Development of Diango (ADD), states that the local population is facing a "serious" situation. A health post was built in the area several years ago, but it has remained non-functional.

According to the residents of Diango, the building was constructed through a partnership with Italian aid workers. Despite the existence of this infrastructure and the assignment of a head nurse, the health post remains inactive.

To receive medical care, residents are forced to travel to Bignona or Boutoupa.

“For years we have had the building built by the Italians, if we have a sick person, we are forced to take them elsewhere. If there are complications, we come back here and then go to Bignona again,” explained Moussa Baldé.

More worryingly, a head nurse has indeed been assigned to the health post. Despite this measure, the facility remains inoperable, according to the local population, due to a lack of administrative recognition from the relevant authorities. "We are still struggling to get Diango recognized as a health post," lamented the president of the Association for the Development of Diango.

The inactivity of the health post poses certain administrative difficulties for the population, particularly in obtaining birth certificates in their commune of Oulampane. "Our children are born in Bignona, it's difficult to request birth certificates in our commune, everything is complicated for us," says Moussa Baldé.

Lack of equipment is another blocking factor

The inadequacy of the equipment is the other problem that undermines the functionality of this health facility built in Diango.

The president of the Diango Development Association, Moussa Baldé, states that last year, residents launched a fundraising campaign to start operations at the health center. However, their efforts were hampered by a lack of equipment, medical supplies, and medications, preventing any effective start to services.

Faced with this situation, the population is asking the health authorities to officially recognize the health post and make it operational as soon as possible.

In Diango, the infrastructure is there, but the building remains silent, while patients continue to travel kilometers to access care, added Moussa Baldé.