The 50th anniversary of the St John of God Hospital in Tanguiéta was celebrated with a series of events planned for the occasion.

The celebrations reached their climax on 30 September 2023. They had had to wait three years to celebrate the jubilee due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the insecurity prevailing in the Tanguiéta area.

They had actually begun in 2022 with a football tournament between the health care workers from the health zones of Tanguiéta, Matéri and Cobly. The final was played on 24 September 2023 at the Tanguiéta stadium between the Tanguiéta and Matéri health workers, and Matéri beat Tanguiéta narrowly by one goal.

On 8 August 2023, the programme of events included Eucharistic celebrations in the hospital's wards.

Paediatric, ENT, ophthalmology and stomatology consultations were then organised on 9 and 26 September 2023, which were very well attended.

As part of the planning of the events to celebrate the hospital's 50th anniversary, two radio broadcasts were aired on 23 and 24 September, one to raise public awareness of viral hepatitis and the other in an interactive format on the St John of God Hospital in Tanguiéta, with the participation of Brothers Florent PRIULI, Parfait TCHAOU and Jonas KEZIE, the Prior of the hospital.

In addition, a hepatitis awareness caravan was organised on 25 September, as well as a blood screening and donation event at the Maison du Peuple in Tanguiéta.

Wednesday, 26 September, saw the conclusion of the canonical visitation presided over by the Superior General, Brother Jesus ETAYO, accompanied by the 2nd General Councillor, Brother Pascal AHODEGNON, and the Secretary General, Brother André SENE.

Also as part of the celebrations, various sports activities were organised on 27 and 28 September, including volleyball and bocce, and tombola, as well as a conference on the theme: '30 years of humanitarian cooperation on behalf of the sick' (via Zoom), attended by more than twenty people of various nationalities.

On the same date, a spiritual concert was given, with the participation of choirs from our parish of St Joseph of Tanguiéta, the Assemblies of God Churches and the St John of God Hospital in Tanguiéta.

Finally, on 30 September, the celebrations reached the pinnacle with the celebration of Mass at which Mgr Antoine Sabi Bio, Bishop of Natitingou, presided, concelebrated by the Bishops of Djougou and N'dali, as well as numerous priests. Three other events took place that day: the first was the celebration of the silver jubilee of the profession of Brothers Pascal AHODEGNON, Nicolas N'SALE and Justin M'po; the second was the fundraising campaign to procure a bed; the third was the presentation of a book of testimonies of people who had worked in the hospital.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Bishop went on to bless the new Accident and Emergency department.