First African Forum on Occupational Health and Safety Innovations Concludes in Ouagadougou

The event brought together stakeholders from health, mining, NGOs, and public sectors to address improving professional health and safety conditions. Participants attended conferences, panels, roundtables, and exhibitions, with experts presenting on challenges and innovations in occupational health and safety. Dr. Sounkalo Djibo, president of the organizing committee, expressed satisfaction with the forum's progress and committed to organizing a second edition.

IAMGOLD Essakane SA, a sponsor, reaffirmed its support and urged participants to translate discussions into concrete actions within 90 days. Dr. Roger Zerbo, the forum's rapporteur, noted that the event included eleven plenary conferences, two free communications, two roundtables, two practical training sessions, and 17 scientific and technical sessions. Experts from seven countries, including Burkina Faso, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Togo, Canada, and the United States, contributed to discussions on topics such as sustainable prevention, climate issues, mental health, artificial intelligence in occupational medicine, regulatory frameworks, and technological innovations.

Recommendations included integrating climate risks into national occupational health and safety policies, establishing psychosocial support units in companies, develop