Opening of new ambulatory unit at CHUSS in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

A new ambulatory surgery unit has been inaugurated at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourô Sanou (CHUSS) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The facility, financed by the AO Alliance with contributions from CHUSS and the Ministry of Health for electrical installations and additional furnishings, is the first unit in the country fully dedicated to ambulatory trauma and orthopedic surgery.

The unit is designed for same-day surgery, allowing patients to return home without prolonged hospitalization. It will also support biological and regenerative treatments for musculoskeletal conditions, including delayed fracture healing, osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff injuries.

Equipped with two orthobiology rooms, including a laboratory, as well as a modern operating theatre, the facility is expected to treat up to 1,500 patients each year. Built from repurposed containers designed by local surgeons in collaboration with an architect, the unit integrates seamlessly with the hospital’s historic architecture, dating back to 1920. This innovative approach ensures efficiency and patient comfort, while easing the pressure on traditional operating theatres and improving hospital resource management.

Patrick Dakouré, Head of Orthopedics at CHUSS and lead for the AO Alliance Burkina Faso Country Initiative, highlighted the benefits: “The advantage is that it shortens hospital stays and reduces the operational burden on staff.”

Claude Martin Jr, Managing Director of the AO Alliance, noted the long-term vision behind the project: “Construction began in 2020–2021. It is truly a gem for patients across Burkina Faso.”

Massadiami Soulama, Director of Medical and Technical Services at CHUSS, emphasized the innovation behind the initiative: “This service is truly focused on innovation, providing care that for a long time was inaccessible, and through the establishment of this unit, these services will now become a reality in our hospital.”

The development of the facility is part of the AO Alliance Burkina Faso Country Initiative, which is dedicated to advancing the care of injured patients in the country.

Click here to watch the TV news report of the unit’s inauguration in French.