OUAGADOUGOU — In a significant boost to Burkina Faso’s healthcare capabilities, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated medical equipment and supplies valued at over 194 million FCFA to the Ministry of Health. This donation is aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to diagnose and treat dengue fever, especially as the rainy season begins, which increases the risk of outbreaks.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the WHO Resident Representative in Burkina, the donation includes dengue diagnostic equipment, biomedical and laboratory devices, and medications totaling 194,158,574 CFA francs. This equipment will enable health facilities, particularly those without their own laboratories, to perform dengue screenings. Furthermore, the biomedical equipment will aid in the blood diagnosis of dengue in larger lab settings.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Health and WHO is designed to prepare for and respond to potential dengue epidemics, heightened by the onset of the rainy season. The urgency of this support is underscored by the 2023 dengue outbreak in Burkina Faso, which led to numerous fatalities due to late diagnosis and insufficient healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Issa Ouédraogo, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the new equipment will significantly improve the operational capacity of the Ministry in managing and treating dengue, addressing the challenges faced during last year’s epidemic.