Burkina Faso’s bold move to defeat cervical cancer with mobile clinics
Burkina Faso’s bold move to defeat cervical cancer with mobile clinics
Ouagadougou — When Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six from Ipendo in Burkina Faso’s Centre-Ouest region, heard the public announcer call for free cervical cancer screenings, she hesitated. “What if they told me I had the disease? How would I afford treatment?” she wondered. But thinking of her children gave her the courage to join the queue. Like Awa, countless women across Burkina Faso had lived with this fear due to limited access to healthcare services.
The harsh reality of cervical cancer in Burkina Faso
Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers among women in Burkina Faso. Before the launch of the WHO’s global elimination strategy, screening coverage stood at less than 8%, with rural areas facing the greatest barriers. Women often traveled long distances—sometimes hundreds of kilometers—to reach equipped health centers, facing financial constraints for both transport and care. Trained healthcare professionals were scarce, and awareness campaigns were nearly nonexistent.
How Burkina Faso is breaking down barriers
To tackle these challenges, the Burkinabe government implemented bold measures, as explained by Professor Nayi Zongo, a public health physician and coordinator of the National Cancer Control Program (PNLC). “The government issued a decree making screening and treatment of precancerous lesions free of charge. It also equipped peripheral centers and introduced mobile clinics to reach women directly,” he stated.
These mobile clinics have become a symbol of health equity, traveling to villages, farms, markets, and even family courtyards. Women no longer need to abandon their agricultural or domestic work to get screened. “Screening is now brought closer to communities, allowing women to continue their daily lives while safeguarding their health,” noted Professor Zongo.
A multi-pronged strategy for success
Burkina Faso’s approach combines several key strategies: eliminating financial barriers through free care, overcoming geographical hurdles with mobile clinics, and mobilizing communities. The country also launched widespread awareness campaigns via television, radio, and popular events like “Pink October,” alongside creating a national cancer coalition involving civil society, community leaders, and media to drive demand. This holistic strategy has turned the fight against cervical cancer into a national cause.
The World Health Organization (WHO) played a pivotal role in this transformation. The WHO provided technical support for developing national guidelines, trained healthcare workers in detection and treatment, and assisted in community mobilization. “WHO stood by our side to strengthen our capabilities and ensure that every woman, regardless of where she lives, could access this vital service,” emphasized Professor Zongo.
Measurable progress in just one year
Between October 2024 and September 2025, mobile clinics conducted 468 outreach missions across multiple regions. These efforts resulted in:
- Nearly 2 million women sensitized
- 106,446 screenings performed
- 715 treatments for precancerous lesions
- 113 advanced diagnostic exams
An inspiring model for Africa
For Dr. Seydou Coulibaly, WHO Representative in Burkina Faso, this success underscores the power of collaboration. “Burkina Faso demonstrates that with strong political commitment and context-specific solutions, even seemingly insurmountable barriers can be overcome,” he stated. He highlighted the initiative as a model for other African nations: “Eliminating financial and geographical obstacles through free care and mobile clinics offers an inspiring blueprint.”
Real-life impact on communities
Awa’s story reflects the tangible benefits of these efforts. “We work in the fields, tend our gardens, and sell vegetables at the market,” she shared. “When we heard about the screening, I was afraid. But hearing other women’s testimonials convinced me. On the day of the test, the health agents explained every step. When the result came back negative, I felt an enormous sense of relief. Now, I advise all women to get screened. Early detection makes treatment so much easier.”
For many women like Awa, mobile clinics offer more than medical services—they provide the first opportunity to learn about cervical cancer, understand the risks, and discover prevention methods. This initial awareness is crucial, paving the way for prevention and care.
Health as a right, not a privilege
Beyond health, this initiative touches on dignity, social justice, and the future of families. Each mobile clinic arriving in a village carries a powerful message: health is a right, not a privilege. In Burkina Faso, this right is becoming a reality.