During their sixth general assembly held in Ouagadougou on Saturday, Burkina Faso‘s public pharmaceutical depot managers and cashiers made their voices heard once again. Their primary demand centers on securing an official professional status for a role they consider vital to the nation’s healthcare system.
The gathering, themed “Volunteers’ resilience in service to the nation”, provided a platform for these workers to voice growing concerns about their increasingly precarious working conditions.
Decades of service without recognition
Speaking on behalf of the Union of Public Pharmaceutical Depot Managers and Cashiers of Burkina Faso, President Ousmane Bolly highlighted the plight of workers who have dedicated decades of service without formal recognition. “Many here have served for 20 or 30 years, yet some earn less than the minimum wage,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of their situation.
The Union represents over 3,000 depot managers operating across the country’s health districts, underscoring the scale of their collective concern.
Unregulated profession fuels exploitation
The lack of an official professional framework remains the core issue, leaving these workers vulnerable to arbitrary dismissals when they advocate for better conditions. Bolly revealed that some members fear openly associating with the Union due to professional reprisals, illustrating the depth of their predicament.
Meager wages fail to meet rising costs
Participants also condemned the meager compensation they receive—typically between 20,000 and 25,000 FCFA monthly—which they say no longer suffices amid soaring living costs. Despite their critical role in distributing medications and managing patient flows in overburdened health facilities, their financial struggles persist.
Years of advocacy yield no progress
Since 2020, the Union has pursued multiple avenues to address these challenges, including:
- Meetings with health and public service ministries;
- Direct engagements with the Faso Presidency;
- Participation in policy workshops on pharmaceutical management.
Despite these efforts, tangible improvements remain elusive. The Union has completed a full membership census and submitted the data to authorities to facilitate the creation of a regulatory framework, yet no action has materialized.
The organisation now insists that only direct state intervention can ensure sustainable improvements, arguing that current revenue from pharmaceutical depots cannot alone fund fairer compensation.
In closing remarks, Ousmane Bolly commended the participants’ dedication while urging authorities to address their concerns without delay.