Burkina Faso Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance in Burkina Faso for Expats

Expats should have adequate health insurance coverage when traveling to Burkina Faso. The country’s healthcare is severely limited, and complex conditions would require medical evacuation.

Several countries have issued active warnings against traveling to Burkina Faso, which may affect the coverage of your health insurance plan if you have one. Always check your policies’ coverage with your insurance providers when traveling to high-risk areas.

Click below to get a free quote or continue reading to find out more about health insurance in Burkina Faso.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Burkina Faso

Overview of the Healthcare System in Burkina Faso

Healthcare in Burkina Faso is limited outside major cities. The country’s security situation makes accessing healthcare a challenge. Medical evacuation is likely for serious conditions. Visitors should note that there are limited English-speaking staff available, and most will speak French.

Public Healthcare in Burkina Faso

The public healthcare system of Burkina Faso can be divided into four levels: national, regional, district, and primary. The highest level of care is usually provided by facilities at the national level, concentrated in major cities.

There are around 2,158 primary healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso providing care at the primary level. These facilities include health promotion centers, medical centers, clinics, and maternity clinics and can be found scattered across the country.

At the district level, care is provided by 45 medical centers with surgical units and district referral hospitals.

At the regional level, care is provided by nine regional hospitals in 13 districts across Burkina Faso. These facilities usually take care of patients referred to them by district-level facilities and usually have a team of specialists, gynecologists, obstetricians, and general surgeons.

Lastly, the national level includes one national hospital and five university hospitals in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. These facilities usually provide the highest level of care and have a team of medical experts and specialists. Clinical research is also conducted by these facilities.

Private Healthcare in Burkina Faso

The private healthcare sector in Burkina Faso includes both hospitals and non-hospital care facilities as well as dispensing pharmacies and drug stores. They are usually concentrated in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso only.

There are three private hospitals operated at the tertiary level, eight polyclinics at the secondary level, 286 primary healthcare facilities, 243 pharmacies, and 661 pharmaceutical depots.

Traditional Medicine Sector in Burkina Faso

There are around 30,000 traditional health practitioners working in Burkina Faso, usually in health care offices and herbalist shops.

Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health has been incorporating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare sector with oversight from the Directorate for Medicine and Traditional Medicine.

Patients are recommended not to seek traditional medicine for critical illness and should be referred to formal healthcare facilities immediately.

List of Hospitals and Medical Centers in Burkina Faso

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO)
Address: 03 BP 7022 Ouagadougou 03
Telephone: +226 50-31-16-55/ 56/ 57

Centre Médical International (CMI) - Former French Clinic
Address: Rue Nazi Boni
Telephone: +226 50-30-66-07

/ 70-20-00-00/ 76-19-99-99

Clinique El Fateh-Suka Paediatrics/ Gynaecology/ General Consultations
Address: 04 BP 8297 Ouagadougou 04
Telephone: +226 50-43-06-00/ 01

Clinique “Les Genêts”
Address: 05 BP 6047 Ouagadougou 05
Telephone: +226 25-37-43-80/ 81 / 83

Hopital Blaise Compaore
Address: 11 BP 104 CMS Ouagadougou 01
Telephone: +226 50-50-96-62/ 5/ 6

Polyclinique Internationale (former Clinique du Coeur)
Address: 01 BP 2092 Ouaga 2000 (Sector 15)
Telephone: +226 72 69 69 11

Polyclinique Notre Dame de la Paix (PNDP)
Address: 01 BP 5666 Ouagadougou 01 (Secteur 24)
Telephone: + 226 25 35 80 80

Expat Health Insurance Options in Burkina Faso

The country’s limited healthcare capacity and developing public health insurance system means expats should secure adequate health insurance plans before arriving in Burkina Faso.

Apart from ensuring your access to quality private healthcare wherever you go, a private health insurance plan also comes with additional benefits that could be especially helpful when accessing adequate healthcare is a challenge chiefly: medical evacuation and repatriation.

Both allow your medical transportation, whether to better healthcare facilities or back to your home country, covered. Find out what some of Pacific Prime’s top insurance partners are offering in their plans in the following section or find a tailored quote of your own now.

Best Private Health Insurance Providers in Burkina Faso

Many leading insurers offer insurance plans that provide global coverage including Allianz, April, and Cigna. However, due to the ongoing terrorist threats in Burkina Faso, visitors should check their coverage with insurers before traveling to the country.

As an insurance broker with over 20 years in the industry, Pacific Prime can assist you in every step of your insurance experience, from finding the right insurance plans to filing claims and addressing any concerns you have about your plans.

Contact our professional advisors today for a free quote and enjoy the security that our extensive global health insurance plans can provide.

Allianz

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans for all expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to any basic policy that Allianz approves. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks.

Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:

April International

April International has over 30 years of experience in the international health insurance market and provides both comprehensive and flexible plans to expats. They provide varying levels of coverage, fully customizable policies, and a wide direct billing network.

Some of the shared coverage across their plans are:

Cigna Global

Cigna Global provides flexible insurance plans to expats. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any private hospitals and private clinics. Their plans are both customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Burkina Faso Health and Travel Advice

Several insect-borne diseases and HIV/AIDS infections are also prevalent in Burkina Faso. Visitors should take extra caution when traveling. Several countries have active warnings against traveling to Burkina Faso. Visitors should check their insurance coverage with insurers before their departure.

Active Terrorism

Many countries have issued active warnings against traveling to Burkina Faso due to ongoing threats of terrorism. Visitors should make sure they have evacuation plans that do not rely on the assistance of their country's government.

Kidnapping

There is a high risk of kidnapping across the country, especially along the border with Niger and Mali. Visitors should remain vigilant at all times and avoid traveling by themselves without accompanying convoy or armed security escorts.

Insect-Borne Diseases

Several insect-borne diseases are prevalent in Burkina Faso, including yellow fever, malaria, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and more. Visitors should carry insect repellant and sleep under mosquito nets.

HIV/AIDS Infection

Burkina Faso has a high rate of HIV/AIDS infection. Visitors should always use protection when engaging in any high-risk activities, including sexual activities, and when coming into contact with the body fluids of others.

Water Contamination

Several illnesses can be contracted from water contamination, including Leptospirosis and Schistosomiasis. Visitors should drink water from sealed bottles only and avoid ice cubes as well as swimming in fresh water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is healthcare free in Burkina Faso?

Visitors could expect medical facilities to require payment in cash for their services. Visitors should ensure they have sufficient cash as well as insurance coverage while staying in Burkina Faso.

What is the health problem in Burkina Faso?

Visitors should be careful of diseases that could come from contaminated food and drink like Leptospirosis and Schistosomiasis. Burkina Faso also reports a high rate of HIV/AIDS infection. Several insect-borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue are also prevalent in the country.

Is Burkina Faso a high-risk country?

Many countries warn citizens against traveling to Burkina Faso due to the high risks of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping throughout the country. This could impact some aspects of your insurance coverage, so always check with your insurers before your departure.

Conclusion

Burkina Faso is challenged in several aspects, from limited care capacity to security situations threatening healthcare access. Visitors should make sure they are sufficiently covered by adequate health insurance plans, including for possible medical evacuation.

With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Pacific Prime can be your assistance in finding and securing the right insurance plans for your time in Burkina Faso as well as be the intermediary for any concerns you have regarding your policies.

Contact our insurance experts now for a free, no-obligation plan comparison.