Mona Lisa Africa
Doctors' mails
TESTIMONY OF DR KEROUEDAN
Gyneacologist and Vice-president of the DIAGALA-MALI Association
HRA Pharma - How did the DIAGALA-MALI Association start and with what objective?
Dr Kerouedan: The association was created in 2001 by our president Ladji Dembélé, who comes from the village of Diagala in the Ganagran province in Mali. Dr Dembélé wanted to offer the region a healthcare structure as there was nothing existing in this area which is quite isolated and trapped between two river branches. This makes it almost impossible to reach the hospital of Kita in the rainy season and the closest big city is 70 kms away. Since then a pharmacy was started close to Diagala, supported by the association regarding necessary material and medicine under the supervision of the Mali government. Moreover, the association has constructed a maternity whose operations have been entrusted to a midwife assisted by 3 matrons.
HRA Pharma – Do you conduct any activities in other African countries or in other regions of the world?
Dr Kerouedan: The association concentrates only on the Gangara region of Mali in which there are around 100.000 inhabitants.
HRA Pharma - HRA Laboratories have donated 100 intra-uterine devices (IUD's) in January 2008, through the programme Mona Lisa Africa. How did you learn about this programme and what is your opinion?
Dr Kerouedan: I heard of this programme through a medical representative and I was of course immediately interested in the idea, more so as I have started a campaign of awareness of contraception the year before in the village Diagala and the surrounding villages.
The fact that a French pharmaceutical laboratory wishes to assist African women by making available IUD's, brought me closer to the Pharmaceutical Industry that – too often – ignores the African countries.
HRA Pharma - What actions did you take regarding the IUD's? And what are your perspectives for the future?
Dr Kerouedan: The women of Diagala and surrounding villages already know certain means of contraception. First of all I contacted the leader of the women of the village to inform her of the opportunities to insert IUD's. This information was then shared during a meeting that she organized…. And these meeting usually ended with singing and dancing. Then, I taught the midwife and the matron of the pharmacy how to insert the IUD's under the best possible sterile conditions. Moreover, another midwife from Kita, that was passing through our village, could benefit from this information simultaneously.
HRA Pharma - On local level, how is the use of the IUD's foreseen? Do the patients accept this method of contraception?
Dr Kerouedan : The IUD has already gained the vote/support of the women, who welcome the simplicity and above all the fact that it is a reversible/flexible method of contraception. Especially because (and contrary to) the intra-muscular injections of progesterone, this method gives them the occasion to retain their normal menstrual cycles, something that is very important in this region of Mali. Actually, the women that stop menstruating without being pregnant, might be blamed by their husbands. Furthermore, the progesterone injections should be given every 3 months, something that is not practical or easy for those women who live far from the pharmacy. With an IUD she can return to her village feeling relaxed and easy for 4 years. The few removals that I did – not include a wish to become pregnant_ were because of the husband's complaint that he is irritated by the string. No woman has complained about pain or excessive bleeding.
HRA Pharma - The interaction between the association DIAGALA-MALI and HRA Pharma laboratories is exact and specific. Would you like to see the Mona Lisa Africa programme is developed with the co-operation of the local authorities in Mali? For what reasons?
Dr Kerouedan : In my opinion it will be welcome if this progamme could be developed in other regions in Mali. In any case, it will be necessary that the training is to the point and strict/well controlled, in particular to insist on good health and hygienic conditions. Personally I would insert the IUD with the backing of an antibiotic taking into account the high incidence of STD, even in the remote regions of Mali.
HRA Pharma - Have you spoken about the programme to the people around you, for example the other doctors?
Dr Kerouedan : Yes, I talk about it on every occasion and especially when I am with my fellow gynaecologists be it a during laboratory meal, “EPU” or congress. My colleagues always respond in a positive manner.