Burkina Faso: ALIMA’s Impact on the Health of Local and Displaced Communities in Kaya and Ouahigouya

By ALIMA

August 15^th, 2024

Kaya and Ouahigouya, two cities located in north-central and north Burkina Faso respectively, have been significantly impacted by armed violence. This ongoing conflict is causing thousands of people to flee to safer regions, with civilian casualties rising each year. This deleterious context exacerbates the extent of humanitarian needs in this area and contributes to making Burkina Faso the most neglected crisis in the world, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Food security, protection, water, hygiene and sanitation, as well as health remain the top four needs for 6.3 million Burkinabés.

In response to these challenges, ALIMA, in collaboration with SOS Médecins Burkina Faso and KEOOGO, delivers quality healthcare to both displaced and host populations in Kaya and Ouahigouya. Due to armed violence, many health posts have closed. ALIMA's mobile clinics provide essential health services to these communities for whom access to care remains difficult. Health centers are often scarce and poorly equipped to meet the population’s needs, especially in rural or isolated areas. The lack of trained personnel, medicines, and adequate medical equipment creates an environment where women and children are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases and health complications.

Burkina Faso: ALIMA’s Impact on the Health of Local and Displaced Communities in Kaya and Ouahigouya

Abibou & Zakaria

My six-year-old son, Zakaria, was hit by a motorcycle. When he got home, he said he had fallen at school. After three days of pain, he finally admitted he had been hit by a motorcycle. That's when I took him to the health center for treatment. We live in sector 2 of Pissila.

Antini

I am married with four children and am an internally displaced person. My family and I have been living in Baganbila since we left Tilagha. We have been displaced for four months due to insecurity. I brought my 18-month-old son, Moyisi, to get treatment. He has been coughing for a few days. Community relays informed me that we could benefit from free healthcare.

Laari

I live in sector 4 and go to the health center to get treatment for my child, who has been suffering from stomach pains for three days. This is my second visit, and I found out that displaced people receive free medical care here.

Rayinatou

Rayinatou is by her daughter's bedside, who is hospitalized for severe acute malnutrition at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center in Ouahigouya hospital.

Aliou Cissé, General practitioner

I was recruited to support the health center in Pissila and began my duties a week ago (beginning of February 2024). I was warmly welcomed and am gradually adjusting to the working environment. My passion for humanitarian work motivated me to apply for a position with ALIMA. I studied in Cuba and received support. Working in humanitarian aid is a way of giving back for the support I received.

Assita

I am a restaurateur with a baccalaureate in agri-food. After completing my baccalaureate, I decided to pursue entrepreneurship. I've been working with ALIMA for a year, providing food such as rice porridge, pearl millet, sandwiches, rice with beans, fatty rice, etc. During my first contract, I faced some challenges as I was located 5 kilometres away, and I sometimes had was late for my deliveries. Since the renewal of my contract, I have taken a premises right next to the hospital to be more punctual.

Aminata, sage-femme d’état ALIMA

I am responsible for reproductive health and have been working with ALIMA since 2021, for over two years and seven months. I handle all activities except childbirth: prenatal consultations, curative consultations, family planning, postnatal care, etc. I chose to become a midwife to save lives and to support women throughout their pregnancy journey, until childbirth.

Elodie, Nurse at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center

I have been working with ALIMA as a nurse for two years. My day begins with the handover from the night nurse on duty, followed by rounds to check on the patients. We try to reassure mothers about their children's care. If the children are not seriously ill, they usually stay for a week, but those with more serious pathologies sometimes stay for a month.

Badini

I am displaced from the Djibo region and have been living in the village of Tamsé since last year. I'm here for a prenatal consultation. I am 7 months pregnant. I don't know the baby's gender yet because I haven't had an ultrasound. I didn't know it was necessary, but right now, I can't afford one. I have five children. I appreciate the welcome and the quality of care we receive here.

Latifatou, Assistant Nurse

I have been working with ALIMA for two years. Around 80 people come here for their medications. The ones I distribute most often are antimalarials, and treatments for colds and diarrhea.

Etienne Constantivo, Head Nurse

We treat patients every day across various departments, including the maternity ward and an observation room. ALIMA's support has been invaluable, reducing our drug shortages and helping establish two advanced health posts, which ease the load on the main health center. They also assist with human resources. A dozen health workers have been recruited, after many fled due to the crisis. Now we have volunteers who support us. We can now resume the continuity of service, which has resumed normally. For the past four months, we have been operating 24/7, treating 3,000 to 4,000 patients monthly, about a hundred per day.

Alain, paediatrician at the University Hospital of Ouahigouya

ALIMA's intervention has significantly improved our equipment and infrastructure. We have seen great improvement. This has been reflected in the mortality rate [of children hospitalized or treated for malnutrition], which has dropped significantly. It fell from 9 % in 2022 to 5% in 2023. In the pediatric department, we care for between 4,000 and 5,000 children annually. The NGO supports the emergency and intensive care units, the recruitment of staff for the care of patients, the medico-technical equipment of the Rehabilitation and Nutritional Education Center at Ouahigouya hospital.