Addressing Maternal and Child Health in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has the 11th-highest child mortality rate in the world. More than 5% of children die before their fifth birthday, and approximately 2% of infants die within their first month of life. Barriers to access to health care include distance to health care facilities, cost of health care, transportation costs, widespread poverty and delayed access to emergency obstetric care. The government is aware of this pervasive issue and has been working alongside other organizations for at least two decades to address the problems.

Displacement and Health Care Disruptions

Insecurity, climatic shocks and COVID-19 led to forced displacements across Burkina Faso. By 2020, more than 1 million people, especially women and children, were deprived of essential health care services due to facility closures, staff shortages and limited resources. Pregnant women delivered their babies in unsafe conditions, children did not receive critical vaccinations, and people with chronic illnesses experienced treatment disruptions.

Health Financing Reforms

Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health and those who have partnered with it have responded in several ways. The government of Burkina Faso implemented three major health financing reforms to improve maternal and child health:

• a national subsidy policy for maternity care, which translates to an 80% reduction in health care fees at health centers,
• a results-based financing scheme,
• free health care for maternal and child care for those under 5 in all public health facilities.

The result of this endeavor increased health care appointments, decreased household costs, reduced cesarean deliveries and intra-hospital infant mortality.

Training Midwives in Obstetric Ultrasound

In 2021, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health introduced a new initiative. The goal was to train midwives in basic obstetric ultrasound during consultations to improve pregnancy monitoring. These ultrasounds help determine gestation date, detect fetal abnormalities, ectopic pregnancies, assess fetal growth and determine the most suitable delivery method. In 2023, 18 midwives were trained. They performed more than 2,000 ultrasounds between January 2024 and March 2025. This led to the identification and management of 10 high-risk pregnancies.

Strengthening Health Systems

A shortage of equipment, staff and supplies also threatens the expansion of this initiative into other districts. In response to this threat, Burkina Faso began a new initiative funded by the Canadian Embassy with the goal of strengthening health care systems in regions of the country most affected by humanitarian crises. The goal was to improve access to primary health care services and provide lifesaving support to those who need it most.

This initiative was successful in that seven health care centers and 24 labs were equipped with essential medicines, medical-technical materials and lab supplies. A total of 371 community-based health workers received training to provide care and strengthen local community networks, including women’s groups. More than 30,000 people were reached, educating them about COVID-19 prevention, available health care services and reproductive health options.

This initiative strengthened disease surveillance and emergency response mechanisms. Health care workers conducted hygiene awareness campaigns using a megaphone and bicycles in remote areas. Since then, women’s groups and community leaders have initiated conversations about family planning and gender-based violence.

A Hopeful Outlook

Burkina Faso demonstrates concern for the well-being of its citizens. These relationships foster optimism and hope for both a better future and maternal and child health in Burkina Faso

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash