Healthcare access in Mali remains unevenly distributed, with rural areas and vulnerable populations facing significant barriers. The 2012 security crisis further strained an already fragile system. Today, many Malians, especially young children and pregnant women, struggle to receive essential medical care, while war-wounded individuals face even greater challenges.

The government recognizes these critical gaps and has prioritized health sector reforms as part of broader social protection initiatives. In response, they launched the first-ever Health Month in November, combining healthcare awareness with social protection measures to improve service accessibility.

“Improving population health remains a government priority. I commend Minister Diéminatou Sangaré for this initiative, which creates a vital communication platform between healthcare providers and beneficiaries. It empowers communities to better understand their roles and responsibilities in the healthcare system,”

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Child health: a national emergency

The Prime Minister highlighted how the timing of this initiative is crucial. Despite efforts to reduce preventable deaths, Mali still faces alarming health statistics:

• Infant mortality: 54 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Births outside health facilities: 33% of deliveries occur without professional assistance
• Child vaccination rates: Only 45% of children aged 12-23 months receive all basic vaccines
• Child nutrition: 1 in 3 children under 5 shows signs of stunted growth
• Breastfeeding rates: Only 40% of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed

Colonel Maïga also pointed to widespread misinformation about healthcare systems and social protection programs, which exacerbates access difficulties. The government aims to address both structural barriers and community awareness gaps through this new initiative.