Senegal must respond to a crucial issue for its future: to offer its citizens a powerful, modern and accessible health system. Despite the advances made in recent years, many deficiencies remain, in particular the absence of ultra-modern technical platforms in our main university hospital centers (CHU) and regional hospital centers (CHR).
With the coming to power of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Senegal is a decisive turning point in his history. Among the many challenges to be met, that of the health system is crucial. As an expert in the biological, hospital and medico-social sector, I would like to make a reflection here on the historical opportunity to redirect financial resources allocated to health evacuations to transform Senegal into a real health hub in Africa ‘West for 2035.
The exorbitant cost of health evacuations: an unbearable financial abyss
Each year, Senegal spends billions of CFA francs to send its citizens, including influential personalities, being treated abroad. For example, the State devotes an average of 1.95 million CFA francs per day for a patient evacuated in France, with annual costs reaching up to 10 billion CFA francs. In ten years, the sums engulfed in these evacuations could be enough to build and equip several hospitals at level 5 and 6, with advanced technologies comparable to those of Western countries.
These health evacuations do not only concern the most modest citizens: they also include elites and political figures. This situation highlights a paradox: decision -makers who do not invest enough in their own health system, preferring to turn to the outside.
The more than inspiring example of Rwanda
Rwanda, under the visionary leadership of President Paul Kagamé, illustrates how an African country can transform its health system. By investing massively in modern infrastructure such as King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda has reduced its dependence on health evacuations and now attracts patients from the whole region, becoming a reference in terms of medical tourism.
Thanks to advanced equipment, specialists trained locally and abroad, and rigorous management, this country shows that it is possible to build a powerful health system on the African continent. This vision must inspire Senegal to take up the challenge of health self -sufficiency.
Build and modernize: a double strategy for 2035
To meet the growing health needs of its population, Senegal must adopt an ambitious and structured strategy, articulated around two major axes:
1. Modernization of existing infrastructure
The main CHUs, like that of Fann, the main hospital of Dakar, or the regional hospitals such as those of Thiès, Touba, Tivaouane, Saint-Louis, Matam and Ziguinchor, etc., must be equipped with technical platforms last generation. This equipment includes high -resolution scanners, radiotherapy devices, advanced biomedical analysis laboratories, and robotic operating blocks.
2. Construction of new hospital structures
Senegal must have level 5 and 6 hospitals in strategic areas, especially in the under-equipped regions. These establishments must be designed to meet international standards, in order to deal with complex pathologies such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and surgical emergencies.
-Train and retain talents: an essential pillar
Modernizing infrastructure is good, but without qualified medical and paramedical staff, this equipment will remain underused. The government must invest in the continuing education of doctors, surgeons, nurses and technicians, while creating incentives to retain these talents in Senegal. Partnerships with countries with advanced expertise, such as France, Germany, Canada, Turkey, or India, could accelerate skills transfer.
In addition, initiatives such as telemedicine and the digitization of medical data must be integrated to improve the efficiency and accessibility of health services.
A long -term profitable health investment
Investing in a modern health system does not only represent an expense, but an economic lever. By reducing health evacuations, Senegal would save billions of CFA francs each year. In addition, an efficient health system would attract foreign patients and stimulate medical tourism, transforming the country into a regional quality health care hub.
For example, savings made over five years could finance the construction of at least three hospitals at level 5 or 6. These establishments could compete with Western standards, thus offering quality care for Senegalese citizens and to patients from abroad.
Build a better health system for 2035
Senegal has the opportunity to transform its health system into a model for all of West Africa. Modernize existing infrastructure, build new hospitals, train and retain talents, all of this is feasible with rigorous planning and strong political will. The horizon of 2035 must be that of an autonomous Senegal on the health level, where evacuations abroad will no longer be a necessity, but an exception. The health of our citizens, the sovereignty of our country and the future of our nation in public health are at stake.
Mandiaye diouf
Public health doctoral student – UNS
Quality engineer, hygiene & biological risks
Hospital, medico-social and health director
Cofrac auditor, jacie & consultant qhse
Deputy coordinator of the PASTEF section 06
General assembly member of Pastef France
[email protected]
