Burkina Faso Health Insurance

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country situated in West Africa and its neighboring countries are Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Benin, Niger and Ghana. A French protectorate until 1960, Burkina Faso was originally called the Republic of Upper Volta until 1984 when then President Thomas Sankara changed the name to Burkina Faso which means “the land of the upright people” in the countries two native languages - Mòoré and Dioula. Burkina Faso has a high population density with approximately 16 million people living within a total land area of 274,200 square kilometers. Recognized by the United Nation’s Human Development Index as one of the least developed countries in the world, Burkina Faso is also one of the poorest with roughly 50 percent of the population living below the international poverty line. The economy is dominated by agriculture which accounts for 30 percent of GDP and employs 80 percent of the workforce. Some natural resources exist and the mining of copper, gold, manganese and iron provides much needed revenue and employment.

Burkina Faso Health Care and Insurance

Burkina Faso is a developing country and its health care system is consistent with a country struggling to provide adequate public services for its citizens. Health care is delivered through a three tier structure, namely primary, secondary and tertiary level care. Facilities are overwhelmingly state run although a small private health industry does exist, mainly located in the capital city Ouagadougou or other large population centers. Private facilities are rarely used by the local population as they cannot afford the cost of treatment and there are too few foreign nationals resident in Burkina Faso to justify large numbers of private facilities. A basic health insurance scheme is available in the form of reimbursements from government funds which can cover up to a maximum of 80 percent of the patient’s medical costs. Expatriates, tourists and non-nationals in Burkina Faso who seek treatment at any of the country’s health facilities are not entitled to apply for reimbursement; therefore purchasing an international Burkina Faso health insurance policy is strongly advised.

The government of Burkina Faso has made access to primary health care services the main component of their health care strategy. Primary services are available through a community orientated network of health centers, medical clinics, birthing centers and dispensaries. These facilities are staffed by nurses and local health workers and are capable of providing basic services such as immunization, maternal and child care and general consultations. Secondary level care is offered by a number of district and regional hospitals. Health personnel working at these facilities include a small number of physicians and nurses. Minor surgeries and basic treatments are available at these hospitals while more complex treatments would require referral to one of three tertiary level hospitals. These hospitals are located in the cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso with the Yalgado Ouedraogo National Hospital in Ouagadougou being the country’s largest and best equipped health facility.

A number of health statistics outline an accurate picture of the Burkina Faso health care system. There is only one fully trained doctor for every 100,000 citizens, highlighting the chronic shortage of health personnel. Life expectancy at birth for both males and females does not exceed 55 years. The infant mortality rate is high at 97 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Children are severely malnourished, underweight and approximately 20 percent die before their fifth birthday. Less than 50 percent of the rural population has easy access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. A number of diseases are endemic at certain times of the year which usually affect a high proportion of the population. Expatriates and travelers should invest in an international Burkina Faso health insurance policy which will ensure they receive prompt medical assistance should the need arise.

Burkina Faso Travel Insurance Concerns

The government of Burkina Faso allocates approximately 6 percent of its annual budget towards health care, a figure which falls considerably short of the finance required to provide sustainable health care services. Contributions from international donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) constitute a large portion of the total annual health spend and are vital to the day to day provision of health services. There are an insufficient number of facilities and personnel, resulting in long waiting times and overworked staff. The majority of facilities are located in the larger cities; facilities in rural areas are quite basic and traveling long distances is sometimes required. The transportation network within the country is poor; many roads are unpaved and poorly maintained leaving many areas of the country vulnerable during heavy rains.

Burkina Faso enjoys a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season is typically from May to September and the average annual daily temperature is 21 degrees Celsius. A number of diseases prevalent to the region can be found in Burkina Faso and expatriates and travelers relocating to or visiting the West Africa region for the first time are advised to consult with a travel health specialist at least four weeks prior to arrival in the country. Vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Polio, Yellow Fever, Rabies and Meningitis are all advised. The routine vaccination should also be updated accordingly. Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Burkina Faso and using prescription anti-malarial drugs; insect repellant, wearing long sleeved clothing and bed nets are all strongly recommended. Users of prescription medicines are advised to bring sufficient quantities to cover the duration of their stay as many medicines are unavailable. Mains tap water is unsafe for drinking and bottled water should be used at all times. Foreign nationals are required to carry their passport at all times and routine checks of non-nationals are common.

Burkina Faso Expat Health Insurance

Expatriates, travelers and short term visitors in Burkina Faso who require medical attention can receive basic care and treatment at one of three national hospitals. Due to a lack of personnel, equipment and resources, complicated treatments would require evacuation to your home country or to a country with modern health facilities. It is imperative that your private health insurance policy contain a provision for medical evacuation. Expat Medical Insurance can assist you determine which insurance policy meets the needs of you and your family. For more information on Burkina Faso health insurance, global health insurance policies or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.