Mariam, in recovery after chemotherapy
Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, with around 40% of the population living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. The poverty rate disproportionately affects women, particularly those in rural areas, where access to income-generating opportunities is limited, and social safety nets are weak. Women often find themselves in precarious economic situations, where even basic needs such as food, education, and healthcare are not guaranteed. This economic insecurity makes it extremely difficult to afford critical medical treatments, especially when they require expensive diagnostics like mammograms or chemotherapy.
Burkina Faso's healthcare sector is severely underfunded and faces numerous challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country has only 0.1 doctors per 1,000 people, which is far below the recommended threshold for adequate healthcare access. The lack of trained medical professionals and specialists, particularly in rural areas, significantly limits access to essential health services for women.
Additionally, the country’s health insurance system is limited, with a large percentage of the population unable to access health coverage due to high premiums or the absence of local insurance schemes. Out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatments are often prohibitive, leaving many women unable to afford even basic healthcare, let alone critical treatments such as chemotherapy. Women in low-income or rural areas are especially vulnerable, as they are often forced to forgo necessary treatments due to financial constraints, resulting in worsened health outcomes and higher mortality rates.
In this context, women in Burkina Faso face a double burden: the challenge of managing their health in the face of widespread poverty, poor sanitation, and limited medical resources, and the added difficulty of securing financial resources to pay for treatments that could be life-saving. Women who need critical treatments, such as mammograms for early breast cancer detection or chemotherapy for cancer treatment, often must choose between medical care and basic survival needs. The lack of a robust health insurance system and the overwhelming economic burden make it nearly impossible for many women to meet these costs.
L2H has set up a fund that the Soeurs Franciscaines Missionaires de Marie in Bobodioulasso can use in order to help women meet the cost of emergency lifesaving treatment.