- As part of an awareness campaign against malaria
- 15 beneficiary villages and farming hamlets
- Helping vulnerable people and internally displaced persons
- Malaria remains the number one reason for consultations
The Sanbrado Mining Company (Société des Mines de Sanbrado, SOMISA SA) makes various donations to people living in mining areas. These donations are made as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy.
On 20 June 2023 in the Pousguin Health and Social Promotion Centre (CSPS), SOMISA launched an awareness campaign in around 15 villages and crop hamlets as part of the fight against malaria.
As part of the campaign, the Sanbrado mine acquired and distributed 300 mosquito nets to vulnerable people and internally displaced persons living in farming hamlets in the commune.
The launch ceremony, which was attended by a number of participants, was marked by the presence of several authorities.
During the ceremony, Pablo Tjoe-Awie, Director of Environment and Rehabilitation, representing SOMISA’s National Director, emphasised that “holding this activity once again shows the opportunity that the presence of a mine in the locality represents”. He said that between 2020 and 2022, SOMISA had drawn up a community health programme to raise people’s awareness of a number of diseases, including malaria. Based on survey data, awareness-raising activities and the distribution of mosquito nets have led to a drop in the malaria mortality rate in the commune of Boudry. This is confirmed by Léontine Traoré of the department in charge of the mine’s community health programme: “The Sanbrado mine has had an impact on people. That’s why it’s trying to improve or reduce the risk of disease in these areas”.
The Chief Medical Officer of the Zorgho health district, Dr Delphin Kaboré, appreciates the mine’s gesture: “Malaria remains the number one reason for consultations in our health facilities. It is also one of the biggest killers of children”. He stressed that, given the scarcity of resources, people are turning to endogenous resources. He therefore welcomed this donation from Mines. Dr Delphin Kaboré called on other mining companies to do the same.
Rachid Ouédraogo
#Mines_Actu_Burkina
