Burkina Faso

Country Overview 

Malaria overview  

The entire population of Burkina Faso is at risk from malaria, and in 2013 there were 7.1m cases and 6,012 reported malaria related deaths. Across the country, malaria is responsible for 47% of reported illness, 61% of hospitalizations and 31% of deaths – a higher proportion than any other illness.  

Malaria is highly seasonal in Burkina Faso, with an estimated 60% of malaria cases occurring between July and November. There are large variations between the country’s three climatic zones: – in the south, the rainy season lasts at least five months, while in the north is can rain for as little as three months.    

Which areas of Burkina Faso are eligible for SMC? 

With a high malaria burden and short rainy season, almost all of Burkina Faso is eligible for SMC. The only exception is the far southwest region of the country. Here, the rainy season – and therefore malaria season – is significantly longer than four months. Given that a maximum of four cycles of SMC can be given in a year, this region is not eligible for SMC. 

What is Burkina Faso’s experience with SMC? 

Prior to ACCESS-SMC, Burkina Faso had implemented SMC in a number of districts. In 2014, SMC was implemented in Bousse, Segeuenega, Tougan, Kaya, Bogande, Sebba and Garango, led by the National Malaria Control Progam (NMCP) with support from international partners including ALIMA, Terre des Hommes, and the US President’s Malaria Initiative (USAID/PMI).  

ACCESS-SMC in Burkina Faso 

Where in Burkina Faso is SMC being delivered? 

ACCESS-SMC is supporting the NMCP, regional and district health teams to deliver SMC to approximately 708,529 children in 11 districts.  

• In the Center North region, ACCESS-SMC is working in Barsalogo, Boulsa and Kaya districts, providing almost 240,000 children with access to SMC during the 2015 rainy season.  
• In the Plateau-Central region, ACCESS-SMC is working in Ziniare and Zorgho districts, providing almost 140,000 with access to SMC during the 2015 rainy season. 
• In the Eastern region, ACCESS-SMC is working in Bogande, Diapaga, Fada, Gayeri, Manni and Pama districts, providing over 330,000 children with access to SMC during the 2015 rainy season.   

When is SMC delivered? 

In Burkina Faso, SMC is delivered to children starting in late July, with monthly distributions continuing until late October.  

How is SMC managed? 

To catalyse a sustained increase in SMC coverage, ACCESS-SMC is fully integrating SMC delivery into the national, regional and district health structures, with the NMCP having overall leadership. ACCESS-SMC is supporting the government’s health system with a range of technical, financial and logistical assistance in areas such as planning, health worker training and supervision, SMC drug supply chain management and communication of core SMC messages to communities. By building the capacity of the health system – and creating SMC delivery pathways – ACCESS-SMC is making sure that increased coverage can be maintained beyond the duration of this project.  

How is SMC administered? 

In Burkina Faso, SMC is delivered over four days each month (a ‘cycle’) by 6,500 trained volunteer community health workers (CHWs). These CHWs work in teams of two, with one administering the SMC drugs, and the other responsible for record-keeping and managing the stock of SMC drugs.  

The CHWs will deliver SMC to children at specific health facilities within the community, announced in advance. 

How do SMC drugs reach the ‘last mile’? 

In Burkina Faso, ACCESS-SMC works with CAMEG, a private non-profit supply chain organization used by the country’s Ministry of Health. CAMEG stores and distributes the SMC drugs from their arrival in country right down to the stores in the districts. Once they are at the districts, the heads of the Health Centers collect them from the stores just before each cycle of SMC delivery begins. Health Center heads provide the drugs to the CHWs each day during the cycle, with remaining drugs returned at the end of the day. ACCESS-SMC and NMCP monitor the progress of SMC drugs through the supply chain using the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS).