How Burkina Faso is tackling cervical cancer with mobile clinics and community outreach

Ouagadougou — « I was afraid when the health workers announced free screening in our village, but I thought of my children and decided to go,» shares Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six from Ipendo in Burkina Faso’s Centre-Ouest region. Her story mirrors that of countless women who once faced overwhelming barriers to accessing cervical cancer prevention and care.

For years, women in Burkina Faso struggled with limited access to health services, making cervical cancer one of the deadliest threats they faced. Before the country adopted the WHO’s global elimination strategy, screening coverage was below 8%, with rural areas hit hardest. Many women had to travel long distances—sometimes hundreds of kilometers—to reach equipped facilities, often without the financial means for transport or treatment. Shortages of trained health workers and a lack of awareness further compounded the problem.

breaking down barriers with bold health policies

To address these challenges, the Burkinabè government implemented sweeping reforms, as explained by Professor Nayi Zongo, a public health physician and director of Burkina Faso’s National Cancer Control Program (PNLC). « The government issued a decree making cervical cancer screening and precancerous lesion treatment entirely free,» he notes. « We also upgraded peripheral health centers and launched mobile clinics to bring care directly to women where they live and work. »

These mobile clinics have become a cornerstone of equitable healthcare in Burkina Faso. They travel to villages, farms, markets, and even family courtyards, allowing women to get screened without disrupting their daily routines. « Screening is now within reach of communities,» says Prof. Zongo. « Women can continue their agricultural or domestic work while taking care of their health. »

a multipronged strategy for lasting impact

Burkina Faso’s cervical cancer initiative stands out for its integrated approach: removing financial barriers through free services, overcoming geographical hurdles with mobile clinics, and driving demand through community mobilization. The country has also leveraged mass media campaigns—TV and radio ads, along with public events like « Breast Cancer Awareness Month »—to educate the public. A national cancer coalition, uniting civil society, community leaders, and media, has further amplified the message, turning cancer prevention into a national priority.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a pivotal role in supporting this transformation. « WHO provided technical guidance to develop national policies, trained health workers in early detection and treatment, and helped mobilize communities,» says Prof. Zongo. « Their partnership ensured that every woman, no matter where she lives, could access this life-saving service. »

measurable progress in reducing cervical cancer risk

Since October 2024, Burkina Faso’s mobile clinics have conducted 468 outreach missions across the country. These efforts have reached nearly 2 million women, performed 106,446 screenings, treated 715 precancerous lesions, and conducted 113 follow-up diagnostic exams. Beyond the numbers, these results represent saved lives and protected families.

« Burkina Faso’s success proves that with strong political commitment and context-specific solutions, even the most daunting barriers can be overcome,» says Dr. Seydou Coulibaly, WHO Representative in Burkina Faso. He highlights the initiative as a model for Africa: « Eliminating financial and geographical obstacles through free care and mobile clinics offers a blueprint for other nations to follow. »

real stories of change and hope

For women like Awa, mobile clinics offer more than medical care—they provide awareness. « Before, we had never heard of cervical cancer or understood how to prevent it,» she admits. « When the health team arrived, they explained everything step by step. My test came back negative, and I felt immense relief. Now, I encourage every woman to get screened early—it makes treatment so much easier. »

These clinics do more than detect disease; they restore dignity, promote social justice, and secure the future of families. Each visit to a village sends a powerful message: health is a right, not a privilege—and in Burkina Faso, this right is becoming a reality.