On Friday, October 9, 2026, First Lady Dominique Ouattara inaugurated the new Pediatric Cardiology Center at the Bingerville Mother-and-Child Hospital.

This new facility strengthens the capacity to care for children with complex heart conditions, making it possible to perform open-heart surgery on infants and young children right here in Côte d’Ivoire. This major breakthrough was made possible thanks to the commitment of the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children of Africa Foundation, the support of her donors, and cooperation among healthcare professionals.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of several distinguished guests, including the First Ladies of the Republic of Angola, Mrs. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, and of the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Nathalie Villette-Wadagni, as well as members of the government, health facility directors, medical partners, donors, and numerous figures from the cultural and artistic worlds.

For the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children of Africa Foundation, this achievement addresses a critical need: to enable children with heart disease to receive specialized care in their own country, without financial constraints or a lack of appropriate facilities compromising their chances of survival.

50 to 60 percent of children with heart defects require surgery

According to Ms. Dominique Ouattara, congenital heart disease is a major public health issue. In fact, in Côte d’Ivoire, approximately one in every 100 births involves a heart defect, and 50 to 60 percent of affected children require surgery. Without proper diagnosis and care, these conditions can compromise their development and put their lives at risk.

In light of this reality, the construction of the Pediatric Cardiology Center represents, for her, a significant step forward for the Ivorian healthcare system. This is because it will help reduce wait times for care, strengthen early screening, and provide families with local medical care. “No child should be denied cardiac care due to a lack of resources or appropriate facilities”—this, in essence, is the conviction that guides Mrs. Dominique Ouattara’s commitment to children’s health.

The First Lady also expressed her delight that this new facility complements the technical capabilities of the Mother-and-Child Hospital. She expressed the hope that children with heart defects can now be diagnosed, operated on, and monitored in Bingerville, while allowing their parents to regain hope that their children will grow up healthy.

Mr. Pierre N’Gou Dimba, Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, praised an achievement whose impact extends far beyond the hospital setting. Indeed, in his view, this facility embodies a profoundly human mission: to give every child—regardless of the severity of their condition—a real chance to live, grow, and build a future.

The Minister of Health also paid tribute to the First Lady’s commitment to maternal and child health. Through the construction and development of the Bingerville Mother-Child Hospital, this commitment has, in his view, helped place medical excellence, quality of care, and patient dignity at the heart of a sustainable vision for the health care system. “Today, a new prospect is opening up for them: the hope of receiving treatment here, the hope of recovering here, the hope of saving lives here,” he emphasized, referring to families facing the anguish of their child’s heart disease.

Mr. Pierre N’Gou Dimba emphasized, in particular, the fact that open-heart surgery for newborns and young children can now be performed in Côte d’Ivoire. This new capability should help gradually reduce the need for medical evacuations for the most complex procedures, while alleviating the hardships faced by families.

An experienced cardiac surgeon, former head of the cardiac surgery department in France, and a long-time volunteer with La Chaîne de l’Espoir for over 25 years, Professor Gérard Babatasi outlined the medical and humanitarian implications of this initiative.

The specialist also highlighted the social aspect of the project: treating a child locally spares the family considerable expenses, grueling travel, and prolonged separation.

He finally expressed his gratitude to Ms. Dominique Ouattara and the Children of Africa Foundation for helping to turn this project into a tangible medical reality.

Mr. Hachim Diop, Executive Director of the Bingerville Mother-and-Child Hospital, presented an overview of the hospital’s development. According to him, since its inauguration on March 16, 2018, the Dominique Ouattara Mother and Child Hospital has grown around a single goal: to provide women and children with high-quality care in a suitable environment, equipped with modern facilities and staffed by specialized medical teams.

The creation of the Pediatric Cardiology Center is a natural extension of this mission. It enhances the facility’s capabilities and strengthens its position in the management of complex pediatric conditions.

A Specialized Center to Save Lives

The new Pediatric Cardiology Center at the Dominique Ouattara Mother-and-Child Hospital in Bingerville features state-of-the-art facilities designed to support every stage of care for children with heart conditions.

It includes areas dedicated to consultations, screenings, and cardiac examinations, as well as equipment designed for pediatric cardiac surgery. Two rooms equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasound machines enhance diagnostic capabilities, particularly through the use of probes designed for newborns and transesophageal echocardiography.

This center features operating rooms designed for open-heart surgery on children and newborns, 20 beds for neonatal care and neonatal intensive care, 22 beds for pediatric surgery, and a comprehensive cardiological diagnostic suite.

This infrastructure enables a more comprehensive approach to care, ranging from screening and diagnosis through surgical intervention, resuscitation, and follow-up for young patients.

This project implemented by the Children of Africa Foundation and its partners aim to contribute to improved care for pediatric heart disease in Côte d’Ivoire and the subregion.