Keur Djiguene Yi (Women’s Center of Dakar)
In the Derklé neighborhood of Dakar, Le Korsa and Dr. Juliette Faye have established Keur Dijiguene Yi — in Wolof, “a gathering place for women” — the first free, public, and government-sanctioned women’s health center in Dakar. There, Dr. Faye, an OBGYN who trained at the University of Dakar, offers complete reproductive and gynecological care for women, including pre- and post-natal exams, as well as crucial education on contraception, family planning, HIV prevention, nutrition, infant immunization, and other issues central to women’s health. Importantly, the center is located in a large house near the terminus of one of Dakar’s major bus lines, making it easily accessible to both women in the urban center and those coming from the surrounding suburbs.
The center covers the cost of care and prescriptions for those women who cannot afford it, providing an essential service to an underserved population. The majority of Dr. Faye’s patients earn little to no income, and without the center would only be able to see a nurse or a midwife in a small health outpost, and likely do so only once throughout their pregnancy due to their inability to pay for further services. At Keur Djiguene Yi, for no cost, patients can have the four prenatal exams recommended for pregnant women by the World Health Organization, as well as a sonogram during each visit. Dr. Faye and her staff plan all appointments with their patients, and are available to answer any questions and respond to emergencies 24/7. Dr. Faye also provides cervical cancer screening and lesion removal to patients.
Keur Djiguene Yi is unique in having Dr. Faye, a female OBGYN, as its doctor and director. Because of cultural and religious traditions in Senegal, many men will not permit their wives to see a male gynecologist, who are the majority in Dakar. Many women also prefer to see a female doctor.
In early 2017, due to patient demand, we added a part-time pediatrician to the staff of Keur Djiguene Yi. Mothers who were coming to the center often brought their children along, and sometimes those children needed care. Dr. Faye provided it, but it soon became apparent that everyone would be better served if there were a pediatrician at the center. We are thrilled that we have added this service to Keur Djiguene Yi.
In 2019, we added a part-time OBGYN to the center’s staff. Dr. Fatoumata Diallo’s presence allows Dr. Faye to travel to villages or areas outside of Dakar, where she offers care to women who cannot come into the city.
Dr. Faye’s ultimate goals, which Le Korsa wholeheartedly supports, are to open the center at full-capacity, which would entail hiring a full-time second female gynecologist; and further renovating the space to provide a play-area for children, as well as a conference room for meetings, trainings and workshops.
