Burkina Faso’s health resilience: who’s 2024–2025 report highlights key achievements

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its 2024–2025 biennial report for Burkina Faso, documenting substantial progress achieved amidst a challenging environment marked by security, humanitarian, and climatic adversities.

Among the flagship accomplishments is the widespread implementation of the anti-malaria vaccine across all 70 health districts, representing a pivotal step forward in malaria prevention and safeguarding children’s health. The report also highlights the introduction of the WHO PEN package in six health districts, significantly enhancing the integrated management of non-communicable diseases at the primary healthcare level.

A notable regulatory milestone during this biennium was the adoption of an anti-tobacco decree, which prohibits smoking in public spaces and on public transport. This policy change underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting public health and mitigating avoidable risk factors.

WHO-supported interventions aimed at combating malaria continued to generate widespread impact: more than 5 million children benefited from seasonal malaria chemoprevention, while approximately 15 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed throughout the country.

In vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas, WHO facilitated the uninterrupted delivery of vital health services through the deployment of advanced health posts and mobile clinics. Concurrently, 58 tons of essential medicines and medical equipment were successfully delivered to support disadvantaged populations.

The report further points to foundational advancements in health information systems, particularly the adoption of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in four major referral hospitals. This represents a critical stride towards improving data quality, enhancing mortality surveillance, and enabling evidence-based decision-making.

These collective outcomes underscore Burkina Faso’s commendable progress in building health system resilience, strengthening essential services, and protecting its citizens. They also delineate key strategic priorities for consolidation in upcoming programmatic cycles.