Many people in the rural Est, Nord, and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso are reluctant to visit urban health centers due to the risks associated with traveling to them, including potential run-ins with violent extremist organizations (VEOs), and instead rely on the assistance of community-based health workers (CBHWs). Recently, VEO attacks and threats against health workers in those regions led to the closure of several remote health centers and the relocation of health workers to urban centers. The result—fewer health workers and a lack of medical and psychological assistance—facilitates local populations’ sense of abandonment by the state, and reduces the chance of survival for those injured during VEO attacks.
The USAID/OTI Burkina Faso Regional Program (BFRP) supported local associations’ efforts to improve the situation and increase access to primary health care and emergency response in the affected regions by training 378 community-based health workers and volunteers, including 106 women. Of the total attendees, 108 CBHWs in the Sahel region, 78 men and 30 women from Djibo, Kelbo, Bani, Gorom-Gorom, Deou, and Arbinda, received first aid training. In the Est region, 90 CBHWs from Fada, Gayéri, Kantchari, and Matiakoali, including 26 women, participated. Similarly, in the Nord region, 130 young men and 50 young women from Titao, Sollé, Koumbri, Thiou, and Tangaye were trained.
The training focused on simulations, practices, role play activities, and case studies to ensure participants could respond appropriately depending on the emergency situation. Additionally, first aid specialists from Burkina Faso’s Red Cross training center covered topics such as common wounds resulting from VEO attacks and how to respond to specific types of injuries. Tankoano, an activity participant from the municipality of Matiacoali, emphasized the immediate impact the training had on his community. He said, "Our village had minimal access to health care because it is located 15 kilometers from the nearest health center. Also, the road is not passable, especially during the rainy season. Since my training in Fada a month ago, I have been able to rescue at least six people."
As part of USAID/OTI’s efforts to reinforce critical local service delivery, the BFRP also procured approximately 600 first aid kits—for every training participant and backup kits for local organizations—to facilitate medical assistance to communities. Stakeholders, including representatives from the regional health department, appreciated the procurement of the first aid kits. They were an essential element of the activity's success because they ensured that first responders would be able to efficiently and effectively apply their training and support their communities. Ouoba, an activity participant from Kantchari, praised the provision of the first aid kits alongside the training.
"Since I received my first aid kit, I have rescued three people with emergency health conditions within a month," said an activity participant from Kantchari.
USAID/OTI/BFRP