Audio By Carbonatix
Senegal President Macky Sall has sacked his Health Minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, after 11 babies were killed by a fire in a hospital on Wednesday.
Mr Sarr will be replaced by Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye, the Ministry's Director-General, following the tragedy in Tivaouane city.
The blaze, which rapidly engulfed the newborn unit at the Tivaouane hospital, is being blamed on an electrical short circuit.
President Sall declared three days of national mourning. He also ordered an investigation into the tragedy.
He is expected to visit Tivaouane on Saturday to meet the babies' relatives.
Many observers say that Senegal's health system is beset by staffing, infrastructure, equipment and funding problems.
A series of other deaths also have raised concerns about maternal and infant health in the West African nation known for having some of the best hospitals in the region.
Latest Stories
-
Newsfile to discuss EOCO-MP arrest, drug trafficking, speech arrests and $235m water debt
2 minutes -
JoyNews gets results as listeners raise GH¢40,000 to help 17-year-old student with cerebral palsy attend SHS
30 minutes -
Vice President calls for stronger local pharmaceutical production to reduce medicine imports
45 minutes -
The brewing tension at KNUST; Beware the Ides of October….
1 hour -
Health Ministry moves to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare
1 hour -
550 pupils in Kintampo South get educational lifeline as ‘Seeds of Hope’ reaches farming communities
2 hours -
Opoku Mensah urges Christian Council, House of Chiefs to speak up on democratic freedoms
2 hours -
Teacher unions’ strike: Minority demands immediate payment of teacher arrears, 20% deprived area allowance
2 hours -
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway: Building it right
2 hours -
Beyond gold exports: Building value and economic resilience from Ghana’s gold
3 hours -
2027 AFCONQ: Ghana under pressure as Gambia beat Somalia 2-1
3 hours -
Eastern NPP Women’s Organiser calls on AG, Police to secure bail for Salomey Baffoe
3 hours -
Poverty, illiteracy driving acceptance of vote-buying among women – Damongo Queen Mother
3 hours -
Photos: Democracy Is Not For Sale forum in Savannah region
3 hours -
GNFS launches 2026/27 National Anti-Bushfire campaign in Atebubu, records 62.8% reduction in bushfire cases
4 hours