Health: SUTSAS contests the appointment of Paul Joseph Ndiaye and criticizes the reappointment of Ibrahima Sy

The Unified Union of Health and Social Action Workers (SUTSAS) reacted strongly to the composition of the new government, expressing serious reservations about the recent appointments made in the health and social action sectors. While reaffirming its respect for the constitutional prerogatives of the President of the Republic, the union stated that it did not understand the rationale behind the choices made and solemnly called upon the authorities to reconsider the governance of social action.

In an official statement released to the public, SUTSAS first acknowledged the reappointment of Mr. Ibrahima Sy as Minister of Health and Public Hygiene. However, the organization did not conceal its skepticism, stating that it harbored serious questions about the political or technical criteria that motivated the minister's continued presence in his position.

The appointment of Paul Joseph Ndiaye described as a "step backwards"

The union is taking a much more aggressive and critical stance regarding the replacement of Mr. Boucar Diouf, a social work consultant, by Mr. Paul Joseph Ndiaye as head of Social Action. Presented as an auditor specializing in finance, the union argues that his appointment represents a significant step backward for a sector that has nonetheless seen major structural progress over the past eighteen years.

SUTSAS points out that the first National Conference on Social Action led to a profound reform of the profession, marked by the creation of the corps of social work advisors and specialists, trained by the National School for Specialized Social Workers (ENTSS). These major reforms aimed precisely to professionalize the management of the sector in a lasting way and to strengthen its effectiveness on the ground.

"Putting a financier in charge of social services is like putting a police station in the hands of a civilian."

In its sector analysis, the trade union emphasizes that social action is a crucial pillar of national cohesion, social stability, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Faced with rising poverty, over-indebtedness, and the resulting psychological distress, SUTSAS believes the sector should benefit from tailored skills rather than purely accounting-based profiles.

The union is therefore advocating for the management of Social Action to be exclusively entrusted to a social work professional, a requirement of competence, legitimacy, and institutional consistency. Drawing a parallel with other branches of the administration, the union argues that, like a police station run by a police officer or a school under the responsibility of a teacher, Social Action must be led by a specialist in the field.

For SUTSAS, appointing a finance expert to head this strategic sector creates a managerial incompatibility detrimental to public service. In conclusion, the union reaffirms its commitment to the recognition of social work and calls on the highest state authorities to rectify this situation in the name of expertise and the interests of vulnerable populations.