Government of Burkina Faso, Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund Partners launch mobile clinics to fill health gaps in the country.

• With support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), the Ministry of Health and local authorities unveiled a fleet of 15 mobile health clinics, worth USD 8.8 million, in a presidential ceremony.
• In historic first, the innovative initiative is bringing clinical preventive health services for life-threatening diseases such as cervical and breast cancer, HIV, and Hepatitis B & C, to internally displaced and isolated populations.
• The commissioning of mobile health clinics is part of a USD 26.58 million Strengthening Primary Health Care to Improve Health and Nutrition Project, directly benefitting 2.5 million people with a particular focus on infants, children under 5, and women of childbearing age.

The commissioning of mobile health clinics is part of a USD 26.58 million Strengthening Primary Health Care to Improve Health and Nutrition Project, directly benefitting 2.5 million people with a particular focus on infants, children under 5, and women of childbearing age.

Occupying an extensive plateau and a diverse terrain, Burkina Faso’s geography is riddled with hard-to-reach areas, with the nearest health facility mostly lying outside 50 kilometers of a village radius. This leaves numerous communities disadvantaged and struggling to access timely medical diagnosis and treatment. This is where mobile clinics come in as game-changers to enhance healthcare access and offer convenience, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

Launched by His Excellency Capt. Ibrahim Traore, President of Burkina Faso, in the presence of the representative of the Islamic Development Bank, Mr. Salam Kafando, the IsDB and LLF-funded mobile clinics are the first major experience of the Burkinabe government which will expand healthcare services to underserved areas.

Each mobile clinic offers two essential healthcare packages: Primary Healthcare and Specialized Healthcare.

Primary Care Services: This includes general check-ups, vaccinations, prenatal care package (PNC) integrated with family planning counselling, HIV and Hepatitis testing, malnutrition, and management of childhood illnesses. This would help to improve local health outcomes and prevent the development of chronic conditions.

Specialized Care Services: The life-saving services include diagnosis and screenings of cervical and breast cancer, treatment of precancerous lesions, mammography, performance of stereotactic biopsy, and ultrasound.

The 33-foot-long clinic is staffed by medical specialists, general practitioners, nurses, midwives, and community mobilization workers.

The 15 mobile clinics were handed over to the Ministry of Health by Mr. Salam Kafando on behalf of the President of the Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Lives and Livelihoods Fund partners.

The IsDB and LLF partners are committed to equitably expanding universal health coverage in four health regions, comprising 21 health districts, through initiatives like mobile health clinics. These efforts are crucial steps toward strengthening health systems and improving health outcomes at the grassroots level.

The commissioning of the mobile health clinics has been made possible by the generous support of LLF’s global partners, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, and the Qatar Fund for Development.