Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara and with the constant commitment of the government, Côte d’Ivoire has made significant progress in recent years by deeply transforming its healthcare system, said Health Minister Pierre N’Gou Dimba on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau.
He was speaking to internet users during the Gouv’Talk, an online exchange platform with government members initiated by the Government Information and Communication Center (CICG).
On access to healthcare, the minister said the country now has more than 3,450 health facilities, including 2,850 primary care centers, over 102 secondary facilities, and 12 national public institutions. He added that “82% of the population now lives within 5 km of a health center,” and noted a 40% reduction in maternal mortality since 2011, with 1.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Regarding blood access, reforms have reduced the cost of a blood bag to 3,000 CFA francs.
The minister also highlighted improvements in health sector governance. “Thanks to digitalization and the introduction of a hospital information system, we have improved revenue collection and the financial resources of hospitals,” he said.
For diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, encouraging results have been recorded. “Many Ivorians now sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, malaria-related illness and deaths have decreased, and children under five receive free treatment,” he noted.
On the Universal Health Coverage (CMU), the minister said 24 million people have been enrolled, and in 2025 more than 2 million people benefited from reduced-cost healthcare.
As part of the “zero illegal clinics” operation, more than 800 illegal health facilities have been closed.
Special attention is also being given to cancer treatment. In addition to the Alassane Ouattara National Radiotherapy Center (CNRAO), which is delivering internationally recognized results, a new National Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology Center is expected to open soon in Grand-Bassam.
On healthcare staffing, admissions to the National Institute for Health Training (INFAS) have increased from 3,000 students in 2021 to 20,000 per year.
Looking ahead, the government plans to further expand healthcare access, increase CMU enrollment to 30 million people by the end of 2026, equip all hospitals with generators, strengthen medical training, continue recruitment, and raise local pharmaceutical production from 6% to 30% by 2030 to reduce costs.
He also encouraged citizens to report concerns via the toll-free number 143, stressing that the government’s goal is to build a healthcare system that is accessible, efficient, and more humane.