The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024–2025 biennial report for Burkina Faso highlights substantial achievements in health, realized amidst a complex landscape of security, humanitarian, and climatic challenges. This comprehensive document showcases the nation’s progress in strengthening its health systems.
A pivotal accomplishment detailed is the nationwide rollout of the malaria vaccine across all 70 health districts, marking a critical step forward in malaria prevention and safeguarding children’s health. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the successful implementation of the WHO PEN package in six health districts, significantly enhancing integrated care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the primary healthcare level.
A significant regulatory stride during this two-year period was the enactment of an anti-tobacco decree, which prohibits smoking in public spaces and on public transport. This policy underscores Burkina Faso’s dedication to public health promotion and mitigating preventable risk factors.
WHO-backed initiatives targeting malaria control have continued to yield widespread impact. Over 5 million children received seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and approximately 15 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed nationwide, reinforcing protective measures against the disease.
In vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas, WHO played a crucial role in maintaining essential health services. This was achieved through the establishment of advanced health posts and mobile clinics, alongside the delivery of 58 tons of vital medicines and medical equipment to support at-risk communities.
The report also highlights foundational improvements within health information systems. Notably, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) was implemented in four reference hospitals. This represents a significant milestone for enhancing data quality, improving mortality surveillance, and enabling evidence-based decision-making.
These collective outcomes underscore Burkina Faso’s substantial progress in bolstering health system resilience, strengthening service delivery, and safeguarding its population. The report concurrently identifies strategic priorities that will require continued focus in forthcoming programmatic cycles.