NEWS

‘Serving God also means looking after one’s health’: the IMS raises awareness among pastoral workers in Burkina Faso

 

Ouagadougou

“Caring for those who care for others.” It was with this deep conviction that an awareness-raising meeting for pastoral workers, organised by theInternational Missionary Benefit Society (IMS) West Africa Section, was held on 21 April 2026 in Ouagadougou.

Under the leadership of Sister Eugénie Dena, head of the IMS West Africa Section, IMS reaffirms its mission of solidarity by supporting bishops and major superiors in safeguarding the health of consecrated persons.

A drive fuelled by the voices of the bishops

During this awareness-raising meeting, Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Ouagadougou, forcefully reiterated that “membership of IMS is not a luxury but a necessity”. For his part, Bishop Justin Kientega, Bishop of Ouahigouya and President of the Pastoral Care of Health, expressed the deep gratitude of his peers in the Burkina-Niger Episcopal Conference. He praised an approach that does not merely provide care, but also educates: “You do not wait until we are ill to support us, but you help us to avoid falling ill,” he emphasised, highlighting the vital importance of prevention.

The participants praised the value of this meeting, which was enriched by the expertise of Professors Steve Léonce Zoungrana and Sr Marie Ouédraogo, enabling them to gain essential knowledge about certain viral diseases (hepatitis B and C) and certain cancers (breast, cervical and prostate).

 

Bobo-Dioulasso

International Missionary Benefit Society continued its awareness-raising campaign in Bobo-Dioulasso on 23 April 2026. The conference hall at the Centre Abel Sanon (CAS) was remarkably well attended, welcoming numerous gospel workers from various dioceses.

As in the first session, participants benefited from presentations led by Professor Léon Steve Zoungrana and Sister Dr Chantal Bado (Sister of the Annunciation of Bobo) and from on-site hepatitis B screening. Discussions focused on public health issues such as hepatitis B and C, cancer and nutrition.

In his message, Archbishop Laurent Dabiré of Bobo-Dioulasso emphasised the need for pastoral workers to look after their health, saying: “Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is an essential pillar for the sustainability and effectiveness of our missionary commitment.”

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the head of IMS for West Africa, Sr Eugenie Dena, to raise awareness of the organisation and to invite participants not affiliated with IMS to join.

Now better equipped to look after their own health, they leave with a mission to act as true ambassadors for health and prevention in their mission areas.