Vector-borne disease control in Burkina Faso

MENTOR is implementing vector-borne disease control activities in regions of Burkina Faso most affected by insecurity, displacement and a growing humanitarian crisis.

In partnership with the IRC, we have focused on the provision and distribution of nets; information, education and communication activities; and training health workers in Sahel and Boucle de Mouhoun regions.

These regions are among the worst affected by violence and insecurity in the country and where community-based vector control has historically been extremely challenging to implement.

Key to supporting the Ministry of Health reach complex, inaccessible areas with disease control are radio broadcasts featuring important messages about malaria prevention. In December, over 500,000 people were reached by radio broadcasts.

Awareness campaigns have also taken place in schools, places of worship and markets to increase social and behaviour change for malaria prevention.

Other activities carried out so far include:
·      The donation of 400,000 long-lasting insecticide treated nets.
·      Trained 16 health workers in health facilities.
·      Eight community clean-up days with more than 800 people taking part.
·      Larviciding at mosquito breeding grounds will begin shortly, the first time a NGO has carried out this activity in the country.