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Mali: Access to health care remains challenging in the north
GENEVA – In Mali, despite a certain political normalization, the armed conflict that has been under way for almost two years makes access to health care difficult for people living in the north. The ICRC is helping them by maintaining its support for certain health facilities.
“Access to health care is still a critical issue for people in the north of Mali,” said Christoph Luedi, head of the ICRC delegation in Mali. “Conflict continues to have an effect on the functioning of health facilities, which struggle mightily to meet people’s needs without outside support.”
After the collapse in public services that followed the beginning of the crisis in 2012, health facilities were no longer able to perform their tasks in the normal way. Even now, the Malian civil service, particularly in the area of health, has yet to redeploy in the north of the country.
“In these circumstances, it is very hard for many Malians, especially young children and pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable, but also war casualties, to obtain treatment,” said Kathrine Zimmermann, the ICRC’s health coordinator in Mali. “That’s why it is important that we carry on with the medical activities that we have been conducting since the beginning of the conflict.”
Gao’s regional hospital and the referral health centre in Kidal
The hospital in Gao – the main medical facility in the north of the country – has been running since May 2012 thanks to the support of the ICRC, which has been regularly supplying the medicines and medical supplies the hospital needs. As a result, inpatients receive care free of charge.
From January to October 2013, more than 19,000 patients were seen by hospital staff, including 4,000 who were admitted for inpatient treatment and 878 pregnant women who gave birth in the hospital. In addition, 435 casualties were provided with care.
Furthermore, a 150 kilovolt-ampere generator has been installed in the hospital, and with the ICRC supplying 100 litres of fuel every day the facility can meet its own energy needs and is able to provide round-the-clock service.
The hospital staff are backed up by an ICRC medical team (a project leader, two surgeons, an obstetrician-gynaecologist and two nurses) that continues to provide day-to-day care.
At the referral health centre in Kidal, an ICRC surgeon is present on a regular basis. The ICRC supports the centre by providing it with medicines and by covering the entire cost of surgical care, including caesarian sections and operations performed on wounded patients. The most serious cases are transferred for treatment to the hospital in Gao.
Weapon-wounded patients who cannot be treated either in Kidal or Gao are taken to Niamey or Bamako. Since January 2013, the ICRC has carried out 29 such transfers.
Primary health care a priority in rural areas
In order to make sure that people have access to primary health care, the ICRC provides support for seven community health centres in the Gao and Timbuktu areas: it upgrades the premises, supplies medicines and provides medical staff with training and monthly follow-up visits.
“At the hospital in Gao, we noted from the very beginning an abnormally high rate of infant and maternal mortality,” said Ms Zimmermann. “Women in labour were often arriving too late – they were already bleeding internally. It was important to provide care for them at an earlier stage, which we achieved by being present in the health centres, close to the rural communities.”
The three community health centres in the Bourem area, to the north of the city of Gao, which were given similar support by the ICRC until September 2013, are now being supported by the French Red Cross.
In the third quarter of 2013, over 6,000 people were seen by the staff in ICRC-supported health centres.
Support for physical rehabilitation of war casualties
From the beginning of the conflict, the ICRC has been working in close cooperation with the Centre Père Bernard Verspieren in Bamako. The centre receives support from the ICRC’s Special Fund for the Disabled, which provides it with materials and components to produce artificial limbs and other appliances, and backs its physical rehabilitation programme.
This support enables the centre to offer comprehensive care for patients needing prostheses or physical rehabilitation as a result of injuries or other trauma incurred in connection with the conflict.
So far, 20 injured patients at the centre have been given suitable appliances or physiotherapy with ICRC support.
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
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Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
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