Health Insurance in Burkina Faso, Africa

Information expatriation

Capital City: Ouagadougou
Total area: 274,000 km2
Population: 14,784,000
Money: Currency Converter
Time Zone: List of time zones by country
Calling Code: +226 XXX

Practical Information:

Wikipedia Burkina Faso

Health Product: Travel Insurance and Health insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG: Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Burkina Faso has a mixed public-private healthcare system that aims to provide universal coverage through the public sector. However, budgets are limited.

·      Primary care is the main public provision and is coordinated by the Ministry of Health. Services include community health centers, health posts, and outreach programs.

·      Referrals from primary care are required to access public hospitals, which provide secondary and tertiary care in regional/district capitals.

·      Private facilities including clinics, pharmacies, and some hospitals also operate, mainly catering to urban populations.

·      Key health issues include malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea/malnutrition, and neonatal/maternal mortality.

·      Geographic access disparities are vast, with 80% of the population lacking basic care. Many rely on traditional/alternative medicine.

·      Per capita spending is amongst the lowest in the world at around $78, and over 60% of costs are paid privately out-of-pocket.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Insurance - Public care mainly serves citizens. Comprehensive private health/evacuation insurance is essential for expats.

·      Registration - Obtain proper residency/work permits, which may be needed to access private care facilities.

·      Language - French is the official language, but many speak local dialects. Learn key medical terms for clear communication.

·      Prescriptions - Bring adequate supplies of any regular medications, as availability of foreign brands is limited.

·      Vaccinations - Ensure routine schedules are up to date and consider others like meningitis, yellow fever depending on location.

·      Medical capacity - Advanced care is concentrated in cities. Evaluate proximity to major hospitals for emergencies.

·      Water/food safety - Bottled water is best for drinking. Cooked foods are safer options to avoid illness.

·      Malaria - Take anti-malarial drugs as directed by a doctor and use effective repellents/clothing.

·      Road safety - Traffic laws are rarely enforced. Drive carefully on poor roads with animals/pedestrians.