Mali’s President GOTA Launches Ambitious ‘Hospital Emergency Project’ to Modernize Healthcare
In a significant move to overhaul the nation’s medical infrastructure, Mali’s President Assimi GOTA has officially inaugurated the Presidential Hospital Emergency Project. The cornerstone ceremony, held at the Korofina Reference Health Center in Bamako’s Commune I, signals the start of a comprehensive national program aimed at transforming healthcare delivery across the country.
A Ceremony of National Importance
The event on Monday, November 10, 2025, drew a high-profile gathering including the Prime Minister, the President of the National Transition Council, the Minister of Health and Social Development, the Governor of the Bamako District, alongside numerous government officials, diplomats, and international partners. The collective presence underscored the project’s strategic importance to Mali’s future.
Oumar TOGO, the Mayor of Commune I, hailed the initiative as “historic,” emphasizing its potential to sustainably reshape how Malians access essential medical services for generations to come.
Fulfilling a National Mandate for Health
Colonel-Major Assa Badiallo TOUR, the Minister of Health and Social Development, expressed profound gratitude to President GOTA for his leadership. She framed the project as a direct response to the findings of the Health General States convened in December 2024, which had urgently called for improved healthcare accessibility and quality nationwide.
“This project is not merely about building walls; it represents a true modernization and restructuring of our entire national hospital system,” Minister TOUR stated. The ambitious plan involves a dual-track approach: constructing 15 new hospitals and converting the existing Reference Health Centers (CSREF) within the Bamako district into fully-fledged District Hospitals.
The Three Pillars of the Emergency Project
Fully financed by the Malian national budget, the Presidential Hospital Emergency Project is structured around three core components designed to create a more resilient and accessible health network.
1. Upgrading Bamako’s Core Infrastructure
The project will convert the CSREFs in all seven arrondissements of the capital, Bamako, into modern District Hospitals. This upgrade is poised to bring enhanced medical services directly into the heart of urban communities.
2. Expanding Reach in Key Towns
New district hospitals will be constructed in the towns of Bla and Kangaba, extending quality care beyond the capital and into other critical population centers.
3. Establishing Modern Regional Hubs
The plan includes building state-of-the-art regional hospitals in San, Koutiala, Bougouni, Diola, Nioro, Bandiagara, and Koulikoro. These facilities are intended to serve as specialized medical hubs for their respective regions, reducing the need for long-distance travel for advanced care.
All new and upgraded facilities will be outfitted with cutting-edge medical technology. Hospitalization capacities will be significantly increased, and specialized services will be introduced. Notably, the hospitals in Bamako’s 1st and 6th arrondissements will feature dedicated hemodialysis units, addressing a critical need for patients with kidney disease.
A Project That “Brings Hope”
In a press briefing following the ceremony, President GOTA described the initiative as “a project that brings hope,” symbolizing a Mali steadfastly marching toward progress. He firmly reiterated that a robust health system is an indispensable pillar of the ‘Mali Koura’ vision.
“All activity depends on health,” the Head of State asserted. “Without it, no meaningful development is possible.”
President GOTA issued direct instructions to the Minister of Health to ensure that public health services continue uninterrupted during the construction phases and that contractors strictly adhere to the established deadlines—12 months for projects in Bamako and 24 months for those in the regions.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, the President placed special emphasis on the human impact. The ultimate goals are clear: to bring quality healthcare closer to the people, to drastically reduce the financial and emotional burden of medical evacuations, and to relieve the chronic congestion that plagues existing medical facilities. This project, therefore, stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to placing the well-being of every Malian citizen at the forefront of its agenda.
Source: Original Article