The inaugural National Forum on Health Financing (FONAFIS) in Burkina Faso, which commenced in Ouagadougou on March 25, officially concluded its proceedings on March 27. The forum was inaugurated by Burkinabè Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.
This high-level gathering convened political leaders, both local and international experts, alongside technical and financial partners (TFPs). Discussions primarily focused on critical challenges related to resource mobilization and strategies to diminish reliance on external funding for public health initiatives across the African continent. A core objective for the organizers was also to enhance the resilience of Africa’s healthcare systems when confronted with various crises.
During the forum on March 25, Mohamed Janabi, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, presented an overview of the current landscape of health financing in Africa. He underscored a significant point: approximately one-quarter of the region’s total health expenditures currently originate from external sources.
Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo articulated that health sovereignty stands as a fundamental pillar of Burkina Faso’s national transformation project, a strategic direction initiated with the “Révolution progressive populaire” in September 2022. He further reiterated his government’s firm commitment to ensuring the self-financing of its national healthcare system through its own means.
