Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
Mali’s bold step forward in malaria prevention with the r21/matrix-m vaccine Mali has taken a groundbreaking leap in its fight against malaria by introducing the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This initiative, supported by global health partners, is transforming malaria prevention strategies in two key regions: Kayes and Mopti. Through a […]
An urgent visual narrative is set to unfold in Brussels from January 23 to February 12, as seven leading humanitarian organizations join forces to present “In Their Eyes”, a compelling photographic exhibition at Halles Saint-Géry. This powerful showcase aims to shed light on Mali’s escalating humanitarian emergency, which has left over 6.4 million people in […]
2025 has emerged as a landmark year for healthcare in Burkina Faso, demonstrating remarkable progress despite significant national challenges. The healthcare sector has witnessed groundbreaking developments in infrastructure, specialized care, and financial accessibility, reshaping the landscape of medical services across the country. historic medical milestones achieved For the first time in its history, Burkina Faso […]
diphtheria surge in Mali amid ongoing humanitarian crisis Since mid-September, Mali has faced a rapid surge in diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, fueled by a weakened healthcare system, chronic shortages, and increasingly restricted humanitarian access. The situation is worsening in regions already grappling with insecurity and public service collapses. As of early December, over 530 cases […]
For countless Burkinabè, seeking medical care was once a daunting financial challenge. The divide between illness and treatment stretched far wider than geography—it was measured in overwhelming costs. Since March 13, 2024, Burkina Faso’s government has taken decisive action to bridge that gap. By slashing fees for critical diagnostic exams and eliminating advance payment requirements […]
On December 7, 2025, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in Cotonou, Benin. Early that morning, mutinous soldiers stormed national television to announce they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. Yet by day’s end, the attempted coup had collapsed, thwarted by loyalist forces backed by the national army. Just days later, on December 13, hundreds of […]
Fada N’Gourma – While poliomyelitis remains a formidable threat, it is entirely preventable through immunization. Across Burkina Faso, dedicated mothers are taking a stand, ensuring their children receive life-saving protection against diseases that can be stopped with a simple vaccine. In the Sector 9 Health and Social Promotion Center (CSPS) area of Fada N’Gourma, Nadège […]
Mali’s HPV vaccine campaign gains ground one year after launch One year after introducing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Mali, the initiative is gaining strong momentum. In Bamako and surrounding areas, an increasing number of 10-year-old girls are receiving their protective dose against cervical cancer. While challenges such as hesitancy, misinformation, and logistical hurdles […]
Despite notable improvements in recent years—such as reductions in infant and under-five mortality rates, maternal health outcomes, and increased life expectancy—the Mali still faces significant challenges in delivering equitable healthcare. The World Health Organization and UNICEF report steady progress, yet access to quality medical services remains uneven, particularly outside urban centers like Bamako. Efforts to […]
WHO bolsters NGO health initiatives in Mali amid humanitarian crisis The World Health Organization (WHO) has led the coordination of health cluster partners in Mali since 2012. In 2025, the country faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 6.4 million people—28% of the population—requiring urgent assistance. The humanitarian response plan remains critically underfunded at just 8.5%, […]
Bamako – Kadidia, a 19-year-old student, once hesitated to discuss contraception openly. « In our community, it’s still a taboo subject,» she admits. Like many young women in Mali, Kadidia faced deep-rooted social and cultural barriers when seeking sexual and reproductive health services. These challenges, though daunting, are being addressed through targeted interventions that prioritize […]
advocating for sickle cell patients in Burkina Faso: dr. gloria damoaliga berges’ fight Ouagadougou – in Burkina Faso, sickle cell disease affects an estimated 4.63% of the population, with nearly 2% of newborns diagnosed with the severe ss form. these figures highlight a pressing public health challenge that demands a collaborative, multi-sector response involving all […]