ECOWAS hands over new maternity and pediatric complex in Guinea-Bissau
The complex includes dedicated maternity and paediatric areas, with a total capacity of 66 beds and several functional units designed to improve patient reception, treatment and care.
GUINEA-BISSAU—The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has handed over a new Maternity and Paediatric Complex at Bafatá Regional Hospital, strengthening access to maternal and child healthcare in one of Guinea-Bissau’s regions where such services remain limited.
The technical handover and symbolic presentation of the facility’s keys took place on 8 August 2026.
ECOWAS financed the project through its Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development (FRSD), investing US$638,538.05 in the new facility.
New capacity for mothers and children
The complex includes dedicated maternity and paediatric areas, with a total capacity of 66 beds and several functional units designed to improve patient reception, treatment, and care.
ECOWAS Vice President Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja said the investment reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring safer childbirth, healthier childhoods, and stronger communities across the region.
The project involved Kozan Limited Company and Baga-Baga Construções SARL, which carried out the construction works as a consortium. Competent authorities in Guinea-Bissau and the ECOWAS FRSD team supervised the works.
At the ceremony, Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration Mamadu Mudjetaba Djalo, Bafatá Governor Mustafa Soares Cassam and other senior government officials welcomed the facility and commended ECOWAS for supporting healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Facility begins phased commissioning
Following the handover ceremony, officials and project partners attended a presentation on the construction of the complex before touring the new maternity and paediatric units.
The new facility is expected to improve conditions for pregnant women, mothers, newborns, and children by providing dedicated spaces for consultations, treatment and follow-up.
It will also expand Bafatá Regional Hospital’s capacity to respond to the healthcare needs of communities in the region and surrounding areas.
Part of wider regional development programme
The Bafatá complex forms part of the broader FRSD programme, which ECOWAS established with support from the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The fund supports projects designed to create sustainable economic and social opportunities while strengthening the resilience of communities in fragile regions of ECOWAS member states.
Following the handover, the ECOWAS delegation visited other projects in Bafatá implemented under the organisation’s QUICK IMPACT initiative.
These included an automatic brickmaking facility financed for a youth association to support employment and an automatic rice-winnowing facility for a women’s farming group.
Through these projects, ECOWAS is supporting healthcare, employment and agricultural activities while strengthening essential services and economic opportunities for communities across the region.
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