Rome, March 11, 2026 – The Rome-based non-profit organization Manalive has inaugurated the ‘Fernanda Medical Center’ in the Ioba region of southwestern Burkina Faso. This ambitious project, supported by Garofalo Health Care, seeks to deliver crucial medical care and health services to an estimated 15,000 individuals in an area severely lacking healthcare infrastructure.
Fernanda Medical Center: A Beacon of Hope in Burkina Faso
The ‘Fernanda Medical Center’ is a cornerstone of the larger Manalive Village project, which spans approximately 20 hectares. The medical facility itself covers about 650 square meters across two floors and is equipped with three operational units dedicated to preventive medicine and vaccinations, basic emergency surgery, and maternity and gynecology services. It features 20 beds, four examination rooms, an operating theater, a delivery room, and a pharmacy. Additionally, an ambulance and a motorcycle will be available for urgent medication deliveries to remote areas.
This initiative addresses a critical need in Burkina Faso, where the population faces numerous health challenges, including widespread malnutrition, compounded by a severe shortage of qualified medical personnel, healthcare facilities, and financial resources. The center will be managed by the Camillians Order in Burkina Faso, establishing it as a key healthcare provider for the entire region.
A Tribute and a Commitment to Health
The medical center is named the ‘Fernanda Medical Center’ in honor of Dr. Fernanda Borioni Garofalo, the mother of Maria Laura Garofalo, CEO of Garofalo Health Care, marking 15 years since her passing. Alessandro Maria Rinaldi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Garofalo Health Care, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “The establishment of the Fernanda Medical Center within the Manalive Village represents a concrete commitment by the company to significantly contribute to alleviating healthcare criticalities in a remote region of West Africa, characterized by a marked lack of healthcare infrastructure and limited provision of prevention services.”
Manalive Village: Beyond Medical Care
The Manalive Village project extends beyond healthcare, aiming to foster a small development hub for the local community. Alongside the medical center, plans include a water management system with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, an agricultural and rural training school, housing for doctors and teachers, a sports center, and the ‘San Camillo de Lellis’ church, capable of accommodating up to 500 worshippers.
From Rome to the World: A Vision of Global Cooperation
Gianmarco Oddo, President of Manalive, highlighted the significance of the project originating from Rome. “For us, it is very significant that an international cooperation project originates precisely from Rome. This city has something unique: it is deeply rooted in its history and, at the same time, naturally open to the world. It is one of those places where one understands that the universal does not arise from abstractions, but from the streets, from communities and from people.” Oddo further stressed Manalive’s philosophy: “Great changes do not start from ideas far from life, but from living people and concrete communities that decide not to remain indifferent to the needs of others.”
Recent Developments in Burkina Faso
Coincidentally, just days before the center’s inauguration, on March 7, the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Relwendé Kisito Ouédraogo, appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Congo and Gabon, took place in the Minor Basilica of Notre-Dame of Yagma in Burkina Faso. The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who emphasized the pontifical representative’s mission to “bring truth and light, peace and unity” even in contexts marked by divisions and difficulties, urging the new archbishop to build “relationships and bridges” between peoples and to proclaim the Gospel “faithfully and incessantly.”
This new medical center is a testament to international cooperation and a significant step forward in improving health outcomes for thousands in Burkina Faso, driven by the dedication of Manalive and the support of Garofalo Health Care.
