News
Burkina Faso: our humanitarian response to the challenge of access to healthcare
In a complex humanitarian context, Première Urgence Internationale is working to maintain access to essential healthcare in Burkina Faso.
Publié le 12/06/2025 | Temps de lecture : 3 min
The country’s multidimensional crisis is weakening access to healthcare services, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. In the East and Sahel regions, several health centers are operating at reduced capacity, and some are temporarily closed, severely limiting access to care for the population.
According to Dr. Moussa Sawadogo, Bogandé district chief medical officer, “The intervention of the emergency response team was a relief for the population, particularly those displaced to the urban centers of Gayéri, who benefited from free health care.”
Access to healthcare in remote areas
To overcome the remoteness of health facilities, Première Urgence Internationale, in coordination with local health authorities, is deploying emergency response teams in the districts of Bogandé and Gayéri. These teams – made up of nurses, midwives, itinerant health workers and psychosocial agents – provide free care to those who need it most: curative consultations, screening and management of malnutrition, reproductive health and medical referrals.
Psychosocial support in the face of trauma
In a context marked by growing precariousness, Première Urgence Internationale is also taking action for the mental health of those affected. In partnership with the Association Tin Tua (ATT), psychosocial agents provide support and listening sessions for the most vulnerable people.
Binta, displaced in Kantchari, explains: “The discussions helped me to calm down. For the first time in a long time, I felt able to see a future”.
Improving access to water
for healthcare facilities
The fragility of the healthcare system also involves logistical challenges. For example, the Fada N’Gourma regional hospital was experiencing difficulties in producing distilled water, essential for hospital care. Thanks to the intervention of the PUI-ATT consortium, the reinforcement of the water supply system (submersible pumps and reservoirs) made it possible to secure access to drinking water in several medical departments, including neonatology and the laboratory.
“These installations have made it possible to resume medical activities that had previously been compromised” explains Harouna Ouédraogo, head of the hospital hygiene department.
These activities have been made possible thanks to funding from the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid Department, and the Crisis and Support Center (CDCS). Thanks to this support, Première Urgence Internationale is pursuing an integrated approach combining medical care, psychosocial support and access to water to meet the priority needs of vulnerable populations while guaranteeing their dignity.
To learn more about :
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our mission in Burkina Faso
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out action inhealth
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our action in mental health
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our action in water, sanitation and hygiene
