LOCATION: Diébougou, south west region 

SITUATION:

Even though Burkino Faso has economic growth this has not had an impact on living conditions and the lack of the government's commitment to improve the health system means that  access to healthcare remains very difficult for the local population who have one of the poorest health records of West Africa. In fact, 45% of the population live below the poverty line, children under five and pregnant women are most affected. Doctors of the World (DOW) is working to prevent the problems of malnutrition and providing care for those affected by it.  Against this background DOW is seeking to provide oral healthcare.

ACTIVITIES:

The dental surgery works with an increasing number of consultations.  The mobile clinic has been in operation for over a year with high attendance (546 patients, nearly all of them new) and a net increase in the percentage of extractions because of a reduction in costs (70% in 2010, compared to 35% in 2009).

BENEFICIARIES: 10000

RESULTS:

712 consultations, with an extraction performed in 50% of these cases.

OUTLOOK:

In 2011, DOW will work towards reducing the costs of extractions and introduce a service to produce and fit false teeth.  The aim is to aid sustainability of the project so it can continue after DOW's withdrawal at the end of 2011. In addition a nurse will be trained in dentistry.