Ouagadougou — « When I heard the town crier announce that health workers were offering free screenings, I feared the worst: what if they told me I had the disease? How would I afford treatment? But I thought of my children, and I decided to go,» shares Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six living in Ipendo, a rural village in western Burkina Faso.
For years, thousands of women in the country faced similar dilemmas amid limited access to healthcare. Cervical cancer remained one of the deadliest threats to women’s health, exacerbated by low screening rates—often below 8%—and severe disparities between urban and rural areas. Many women had to travel long distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometers, to reach equipped medical centers, facing financial barriers for transportation and treatment. Trained healthcare professionals were scarce, and awareness campaigns were nearly nonexistent.
Breaking down barriers with bold health policies
The Burkinabè government took decisive action to address these challenges. As Professor Nayi Zongo, a public health physician and coordinator of the National Cancer Control Program (PNLC), explains, « The government issued a decree making cervical cancer screening and precancerous lesion treatment free of charge. It also equipped peripheral health centers and launched mobile clinics to reach women directly in their communities. »
These mobile clinics have become a cornerstone of equitable healthcare, traveling to villages, farms, markets, and even family courtyards. Women no longer need to abandon their daily activities—such as farming or trading—to get screened. « Bringing healthcare closer to communities allows women to maintain their livelihoods while safeguarding their health, » emphasizes Professor Zongo.
A multi-faceted strategy for impact
The Burkina Faso initiative stands out for its integrated approach, combining:
- Financial accessibility: Free screenings and treatments eliminate economic barriers.
- Geographic reach: Mobile clinics eliminate the need for long-distance travel.
- Community engagement: Awareness campaigns through TV and radio ads, as well as events like « Pink October, » have mobilized public support.
- Collaborative networks: A national cancer coalition, uniting civil society, community leaders, and media, has amplified the message and driven demand for screening.
The World Health Organization (WHO) played a pivotal role in supporting this vision. It provided technical guidance for national policies, trained healthcare workers in detection and treatment, and bolstered community mobilization efforts. « WHO’s support enabled us to strengthen our capacities and ensure that every woman, regardless of her location, could access these essential services, » says Professor Zongo.
Measurable progress and life-changing outcomes
In just one year—from October 2024 to September 2025—mobile clinics conducted 468 outreach missions across the country. These efforts:
- Sensitized nearly 2 million women.
- Conducted 106,446 screenings.
- Provided 715 treatments for precancerous lesions.
- Performed 113 advanced diagnostic exams to confirm cases.
Beyond the numbers, these results translate into lives saved and families protected. Awa, who once feared the unknown, now advocates for screening: « The day I got tested, the health workers explained every step. When the result came back negative, I felt an immense sense of relief. I now urge all women to get screened—early detection makes treatment so much easier. »
Inspiration for Africa and beyond
According to Dr. Seydou Coulibaly, WHO Representative in Burkina Faso, this success underscores the power of political commitment and context-specific solutions. « Burkina Faso has shown that with strong leadership and tailored strategies, it’s possible to overcome barriers that once seemed insurmountable, » he states. « The elimination of financial and geographic obstacles through free services and mobile clinics sets a model for other countries to follow. »
For women like Awa, these mobile clinics represent more than medical care—they offer the first opportunity to learn about cervical cancer, understand its risks, and discover prevention methods. This foundational knowledge is critical in empowering women to take control of their health and futures.
Ultimately, this initiative is about more than health; it’s about dignity, social justice, and the future of families. Each mobile clinic that arrives in a village carries a powerful message: health is a right, not a privilege. In Burkina Faso, that right is becoming a reality.