Burkina Faso intensifies its fight against malaria: a plan to protect 5 million children during the rainy season.

Amnia Hassan

With the start of the rainy season, the government of Burkina Faso has intensified its efforts to combat malaria, which is one of the most serious health challenges in the country, especially with the high rates of infection during this time of year. In this context, the authorities launched the 2026 seasonal malaria chemical prevention campaign, aiming to protect about five million children from the consequences of the disease.

Five rounds of preventative measures until October

The campaign is based on the implementation of five monthly rounds extending from June to October, with the aim of providing free preventive medicines to children aged between 3 and 59 months, the group most vulnerable to malaria complications.

The first round, which will be carried out from June 25 to 28, targets more than 1.2 million children in 24 health districts with the highest rates of disease prevalence, with the campaign gradually expanding to cover the entire country.

Integrated health services for children

The initiative is not limited to distributing preventive medicines, but includes a package of integrated health interventions, including early detection of cases of acute malnutrition, monitoring of children who have not received the malaria vaccine, in addition to providing community health care for children with fever.

The campaign also includes carrying out extensive operations to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, in a move aimed at reducing transmission and lowering infection rates during the rainy season.

Government commitment to protecting the most vulnerable groups

During a press conference held on June 23, 2026 in the capital, Ouagadougou, the Permanent Secretary of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Sidzabda Christian Bernard Compaoré, confirmed that the campaign is part of a national strategy to promote disease prevention and reduce its health effects, especially among children.

These efforts reflect the commitment of the government, led by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to strengthening the health system and protecting children and the population from seasonal diseases that pose a threat to public health.

Encouraging results that support continued efforts

The new campaign is based on the positive results achieved by the country during 2025, when the implementation rate of malaria control targets reached 94%.

Meanwhile, the competent authorities succeeded in eliminating 73% from identified mosquito breeding sites, which enhances the chances of reducing infection and death rates associated with the disease in the coming years.