11 newborns killed as fire tears through hospital in Senegal
CBSSep 09, 2022
The Facts
On Thu., Senegal's Pres. Macky Sall announced the death of at least 11 babies in a fire at the neonatal unit of the Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital in Tivaouane - a city 50 miles from the capital, Dakar.
According to the city's mayor, Demba Diop, three babies were saved from the blaze that spread through the hospital, which had opened recently.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
There have been too many disasters in Senegal's public health system recently to argue that this incident is just an unlucky accident. While the country may be lauded internationally for its healthcare system in urban areas, Senegal's rural population is experiencing a healthcare crisis. The country has an obligation to thoroughly review and address the quality of service in the hospitals.
Pro-establishment narrative
Many healthcare systems In Africa struggle to meet routine day-to-day demands as they confront an onslaught of disasters, climate change, diseases and demographic changes. The international community has an obligation to help them strengthen ties with emergency response systems and key infrastructure sectors like water, transportation and electricity. Building resilience now will help to limit tragedies in the future.
