Since 2009, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has operated a pediatric program in Koutiala, southeastern Mali, to reduce child mortality through preventive and curative care. To enhance care for hospitalized young patients, MSF constructed a new pediatric unit in Koutiala. We documented the construction process over more than a year.

Malaria is a leading cause of child mortality in the Koutiala region. Children with malaria often suffer from poor appetite, which can lead to malnutrition. Conversely, malnourished children become weak and more susceptible to illness. To break this vicious cycle, MSF has invested in free, high-quality hospital care for children with severe illnesses and expanded pediatric services and healthcare access in villages across the Koutiala district to prevent complications.

The new pediatric unit enables medical teams to consolidate all patients on a single site equipped with modern facilities.

Up to 1,000 children are admitted to the pediatric and malnutrition wards at the Koutiala hospital, supported by MSF, during the peak malaria season (typically June to December, depending on rainfall), coinciding with the food deficit period (October/November) in the region.

In episode 2: meet Luca, joined by Marie Hortense, MSF medical coordinator in Koutiala, and Hyppolite, deputy project coordinator. Together, they visit the Annex, a facility set up to handle surges in patient numbers.

In episode 3: Luca, accompanied by Ana, Project Construction Coordinator, visits the still-under-construction site. This is an opportunity to visualize the final outcome of the pediatric unit.

In episode 4, the long-awaited moment arrives: the unveiling of the new hospital. Join Nicolas and Albert as they explore this facility and the benefits it brings to patients. The new pediatric unit consolidates all patients on one site with modern, enhanced equipment.

In the final episode, Nicolas travels to Konséguéla, about 50 kilometers from Koutiala, where MSF supports a health center.