Growing up healthy

Ensuring children’s survival, protection and healthy development

One of the biggest problems in Burkina Faso is the high infant and child mortality rates. In fact, nearly 20 of every 100 children will die before they reach the age of five.  The main causes of childhood death are treatable diseases, such as those that could be prevented by simple vaccinations.

We worked in partnership with the government and local groups to complete an extensive immunisation campaign for infants and for women of reproductive age. Through this project, we supplied health workers with more than 320,000 syringes, refrigeration equipment, eight motorcycles, fuel and 27 megaphones to help mobilise people.

The project was a success, as tens of thousands of children were vaccinated. Doctor Arzouma Oudreago, a senior doctor, explained:

“Plan effectively supported us when we were faced with problems, such as lack of fuel, transportation, refrigerators, syringes and the means for specific training.”

There has also been an increased effort to increase awareness about HIV and AIDS through information campaigns and health care programs.  According to Ouedraogo Hamidou, on of many Plan-trained health educators, the difference is marked:

“Thanks to the HIV information campaigns, it’s no longer taboo to speak about AIDS in this region.  The villagers are made aware how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how they can protect themselves.”