Published on : 21/08/2022 – 05:28
In Dakar, the controversy swells after the Senegalese government’s decision to close the Aristide le Dantec hospital for its rehabilitation. This Saturday, an association for the defense of the hospital organized a demonstration, to protest against the transfer of part of the land housing the hospital to a private developer.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Birahim Toure
In unison, a few dozen people say they refuse to see the Aristide Le Dantec hospital sold.
Despite the rain, the march of the Collective for the defense and safeguarding of the hospital mobilized.
Among the walkers Nina Penda Faye, spokesperson for the collective called “Patients in danger”: “ We stand in solidarity with all the contractors, with all the people impacted by the closure of the hospital, but beyond that, by this sale of 3 ha which should not have been done and which should not be done. To President Macky Sall, we say we have other solutions “, she harangues at the microphone.
To finance the renovation, the authorities plan to sell 3 hectares of hospital land, and this has been creating controversy for a few days. Especially with hospital workers who denounce an unprecedented sell-off and invite the authorities to pull themselves together.
« Reconstruction should not divide us. This country belongs to us. It belongs to all Senegalese. This reconstruction must be done in consultation. That all the actors meet on a table so that we can discuss it “, claims Mamadou Dionne president of the collective of the workers of the Dantec hospital.
On this issue, the Minister of Health and Social Action says she is ready to explain the government’s approach before any court. Marie Khemess Ngom Ndiaye also wanted to reassure the workers of the hospital by beginning Thursday a visit to the health structures which will welcome them, as well as the patients, during the work.