Burkina Faso Country Bundle: suggestions, stories and tips
Content about Burkina Faso on WorldSupporter
Burkina Faso: Updates & Travel
Burkina Faso: Updates & Travel
Travel in Burkina Faso?
- Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, but don't let this deter you. The country has beautiful nature, an interesting history of several Mossi kingdoms and also cultural traditions of nomadic peoples in the north of the country. Less than 35 percent of the population can read and write and the economy is largely dependent on foreign money donors. This makes the country not only a great travel destination but also a good country to volunteer in. Find out if the country's name, which literally means “land of honorable people,” lives up to its meaning!
- Check out the Grande Mosquée in Bobo-Dioulasso, a good example of Sudanese mud architecture.
- Visit the ethnography museum in the capital, Ouagadougou, which features artifacts from the Mossi culture.
- Go wildlife viewing in one of the national parks.
- Or do a trek through the desert in the north of the country.
Updates Burkina Faso
- More about Burkina Faso, updates and contributions, see the link below.
How does healthcare work in Burkina Faso, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
How does healthcare work in Burkina Faso, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
- How does the healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
- What is the quality of healthcare in Burkina Faso?
- How does the public healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
- How does the private healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
- How is the general practitioner arranged in Burkina Faso?
- How is the dentist arranged in Burkina Faso?
- How is pregnancy care arranged in Burkina Faso?
- How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Burkina Faso?
- What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Burkina Faso?
- What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Burkina Faso if you are going to live there for a while?
How does the healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
What is the quality of healthcare in Burkina Faso?
- Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world. Life expectancy is low and mortality rates are relatively high. Due to the conflicts in the country, few people have access to healthcare and the quality of healthcare leaves much to be desired.
- Healthcare is very limited and medical evacuation is often necessary.
- Most healthcare is provided in the cities. Outside the cities, it is difficult to find help.
- Healthcare workers usually speak French, but not English. It may therefore be useful to learn a few words of French before moving to Burkina Faso.
- The country has both public and private healthcare. Most of it is public.
- Traditional healthcare also plays a major role in Burkina Faso. It has even been implemented in regular, public healthcare. However, it is not recommended to use it for critical care.
How does the public healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
- Public healthcare is not of great quality, but foreigners can use it.
- There are eleven regions and 53 health districts. Healthcare is divided into four levels: primary care, district care, regional hospitals and national hospitals. The national facilities are usually located in the cities and offer the best care.
- There are more than 2,000 primary care facilities spread throughout the country. These include health promotion centres, medical centres, maternity clinics.
- District care consists of 45 medical centres and hospitals that perform operations and provide more specialist care.
- There are nine regional hospitals. These are mainly used by patients who cannot be helped in the districts. Operations are performed, midwives, gynaecologists and specialists available.
- There is a national hospital and there are five university hospitals where the most extensive care is possible. These hospitals can be found in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
How does the private healthcare system work in Burkina Faso?
- Private healthcare is generally better and faster than public healthcare. You are also more likely to find English-speaking staff here. Private healthcare is only available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
- The private sector consists of hospitals, healthcare facilities and pharmacies.
How is the general practitioner arranged in Burkina Faso?
- Burkina Faso works with a GP system in public healthcare. At primary healthcare institutions you can find GPs who can refer you to specialists, if necessary.
- Private healthcare institutions also have GPs that you can consult.
- It is not a bad idea to ask for recommendations from other foreigners so that you can find a GP that suits you.
How is the dentist arranged in Burkina Faso?
- Dental care is not of good quality in Burkina Faso. There are major shortages of staff and facilities and many people have dental problems.
- There are private clinics that offer reasonable care. These are usually unaffordable for the local population.
- It may be wise to go abroad for dental care. Make sure you are well insured for this.
How is pregnancy care arranged in Burkina Faso?
- Infant and maternal mortality rates are high in Burkina Faso and due to the state of healthcare and health problems, it is a risk to spend your pregnancy and delivery in Burkina Faso. Healthcare is available, but probably not of the standard most others are used to.
How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Burkina Faso?
What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Burkina Faso?
- Although the people are incredibly friendly, Burkina Faso is not a safe country. The risk of terrorism is high, there is a lot of fighting between armed groups and even aid organizations are attacked.
- Attacks can take place at any time in all kinds of public places.
- Kidnappings are also not uncommon.
What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Burkina Faso?
- There are many diseases in Burkina Faso, including mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, malaria and dengue. There are many cases of HIV/AIDS.
- Infectious diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, measles, tuberculosis and parasites are also not uncommon. So make sure you only drink boiled water, avoid ice cubes and only eat well-prepared food.
- It is also better not to swim in freshwater.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Burkina Faso?
- Most expats travel with their own car (and driver), but roads are not safe, many people are attacked by armed groups.
- Only a small part of the roads are paved, especially around the cities.
- There is a train that lives via the four major cities of the country and there is an international airport. Furthermore, there is little public transport.
What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Burkina Faso?
Is the trip to Burkina Faso and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.
What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Burkina Faso if you are going to live there for a while?
- In most cases in Burkina Faso, you will need health insurance for a visa application, but apart from that, good international health insurance is very important because of the high risk of medical evacuation and the high costs of private care.
- So make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.
Packing list for Burkina Faso, travel insurance for Burkina Faso, and taking your belongings
Packing list for Burkina Faso, travel insurance for Burkina Faso, and taking your belongings
To pack and bring to Burkina Faso
- What to take with you to Burkina Faso: spotlighted
- What are some other options for packing as well?
- What should you keep in mind when traveling to Burkina Faso with your belongings?
- Are there mosquitoes in Burkina Faso?
- Are there sandflies in Burkina Faso?
- Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Burkina Faso?
- Can you buy a joint or weed in Burkina Faso, or take it with you to Burkina Faso?
What to take with you to Burkina Faso: spotlighted
To bring and to check:
- Documents: passport with at least six months validity.
- Money: be sure to bring some West African CFA francs (XOF) and your debit card.
- Care: sunscreen and aftersun.
- Outdoor and practical items: hat/cap and good sunglasses. Lightweight raincoat (June-September) and a buff, scarf or bandana against the sun and dust.
- Clothing: light and airy clothing, with long sleeves against the sun and mosquitoes. An extra layer (fleece/sweater) for the cool mornings and evenings.
- Shoes: comfortable walking shoes and slippers/sandals.
- Medicines and travel pharmacy: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, hand sanitizer, remedies for stomach problems. ORS and mosquito repellent.
- Safety: money belt or fanny pack for your valuables. Technique and equipment: world plug type C & E, power bank.
What are some other options for packing as well?
- Reusable water bottle with filter, because tap water is technically drinkable, but often tastes strange.
- Quick-drying travel towel.
- Not sure whether you will sleep in places with a mosquito net or air conditioning? Then bring your own impregnated mosquito net or mosquito net.
- E-reader or other offline entertainment.
- A few sentences in French, to make a good impression.
- International driving license, if you want to rent a car.
- Headlamp or flashlight.
What should you keep in mind when traveling to Burkina Faso with your belongings?
- The malaria risks in Burkina Faso.
- How to dress appropriately.
Are there mosquitoes in Burkina Faso?
- Malaria is a significant health problem in Burkina Faso. The country is among the ten countries with the highest number of malaria cases and deaths. And not only that, mosquitoes in Burkina Faso can also transmit other nasty diseases.
- The risk is highest during the rainy season, from June to September.
- Use insect repellent, wear protective clothing and sleep under an impregnated mosquito net.
Are there sandflies in Burkina Faso?
- There are sand flies all over the country, and they can transmit Leishmaniasis. So protecting yourself is important.
- Your set of mosquito repellents with DEET can help in combination with covering clothing, good spray, and not sleeping on the beach without protection.
Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Burkina Faso?
- It will be difficult to find your favorite and good mosquito repellent in Burkina Faso.
- So it is best to bring it from home.
- Locals use as a mosquito repellent: Faso soap or Fasoap.
Can you buy a joint or weed in Burkina Faso, or take it with you to Burkina Faso?
- Burkina Faso has an ideal climate for cannabis, but unfortunately that does not mean you can just find and use it everywhere.
- Burkina Faso has a very strict drug policy. Cannabis use, cultivation and possession are illegal and can lead to high fines, long prison sentences (up to 10 years!) and a spontaneous ‘extended stay’ in a cell that cannot be found on Booking.com.
- Even small amounts or suspicion of possession can be enough to cause serious legal problems. So taking it with you is also not a good idea.
Burkina Faso: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Burkina Faso: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Content about Burkina Faso shared by WorldSupporters
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