Ouagadougou — For Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six living in Ipendo, in Burkina Faso’s Centre-Ouest region, the public announcement of free cervical cancer screening brought mixed emotions. «When I heard the town crier announce that health workers were offering free screening, I felt a pang of fear. What if they told me I had the disease? How would I afford treatment?» she recalls. «But then I thought about my children and decided to go.»

Like Awa, countless women across Burkina Faso had long lived with this anxiety, facing significant barriers to accessing healthcare. Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest threats to women’s health in the country, particularly in rural areas where healthcare services are scarce.

Before the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global strategy to accelerate elimination efforts, screening coverage was alarmingly low—below 8%—with rural women disproportionately affected. Many had to travel long distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometers, to reach equipped medical centers, often without the financial means for transport or treatment. Trained healthcare professionals were scarce, and awareness campaigns were nearly nonexistent.

Breaking down barriers to cervical cancer prevention

To address these challenges, the Burkinabè government implemented bold measures, as explained by Professor Nayi Zongo, a public health physician and coordinator of Burkina Faso’s National Cancer Control Program (PNLC). «The government issued a decree making screening and treatment of precancerous lesions completely free. We also equipped peripheral health centers and introduced mobile clinics to bring services directly to women,» he says.

These mobile clinics have become a cornerstone of health equity, traveling to villages, farms, markets, and even family compounds. Women no longer need to abandon their daily activities—whether farming or selling goods at the market—to get screened. «Bringing screening closer to communities allows women to continue their work while safeguarding their health,» Professor Zongo emphasizes.

A multi-faceted approach to elimination

Burkina Faso’s strategy stands out for its integrated approach, combining financial accessibility (free care) with geographical reach (mobile clinics) and community mobilization. The country has also leveraged mass media campaigns on television and radio, as well as awareness events like «Pink October,» to educate the public. A national cancer coalition, uniting civil society, community leaders, and media, has further amplified the message, turning cervical cancer prevention into a national cause.

The WHO played a pivotal role in supporting this vision. «The Organization provided technical guidance to develop national guidelines, trained healthcare workers in detection and treatment, and helped mobilize communities,» Professor Zongo notes. «WHO stood by our side to strengthen our capacity and ensure every woman, no matter where she lives, can access this lifesaving service.»

Measurable impact: screening, treatment, and hope

The results are striking. Between October 2024 and September 2025, mobile clinics conducted 468 outreach missions across multiple locations. These efforts reached nearly 2 million women, performed 106,446 screenings, treated 715 cases of precancerous lesions, and conducted 113 diagnostic confirmations. These numbers translate into real lives saved and families protected.

For the WHO, this success underscores the power of collaboration. «Burkina Faso demonstrates that with strong political commitment and context-specific solutions, it’s possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers,» says Dr. Seydou Coulibaly, WHO Representative in Burkina Faso. He highlights the initiative’s regional significance: «Removing financial and geographical obstacles through free care and mobile clinics sets an inspiring example for other African nations.»

In rural communities, the impact is tangible. Awa shares her story: «We work the fields, tend our gardens, and sell vegetables at the market. When they told us about screening, I was scared. But hearing other women’s experiences reassured me. On the day of the test, the health workers explained every step. When the results came back negative, I felt an immense sense of relief. Now, I urge every woman to get screened. Early detection makes treatment so much easier.»

For women like Awa, mobile clinics represent more than just medical services—they provide the first opportunity to learn about cervical cancer, understand the risks, and discover that it can be prevented. This initial awareness is crucial, opening doors to prevention and early care.

The initiative goes beyond health; it champions dignity, social justice, and the future of families. Each mobile clinic that arrives in a village carries a powerful message: health is a right, not a privilege. In Burkina Faso, this right is becoming a reality.