Sissili: The second edition of the National Family Planning Plus Week (NFP+) was officially launched this Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Bieha, Sissili Province. The ceremony, presided over by the provincial secretary general, Baowindsida Bingo, highlighted the urgent need to intensify family planning as a key solution to maternal and infant mortality.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this edition coincides with World Breastfeeding Week, showcasing a comprehensive approach to reproductive health. It is being held under the theme: “Reducing maternal and infant mortality to achieve sustainable development goals in a context of security challenges, through the integration of reproductive health services.”
The ceremony mobilized the vital forces of the commune of Bieha, including customary, religious, military, and paramilitary authorities, demonstrating the collective commitment to this health cause. In his opening address, Secretary General Baowindsida Bingo painted an alarming picture of the health situation in Burkina Faso, justifying the crucial importance of this initiative.
“Between week 1 and week 42 of this year, our country unfortunately recorded nearly 12,300 perinatal deaths and 717 maternal deaths due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth,” he revealed. According to him, these figures call for an unprecedented mobilization to guarantee birth spacing and access to quality care, despite the context of insecurity which complicates access to health facilities.
Faced with this health tragedy, Dr. Abdou Aboubacary, chief medical officer of the Lo health district, reiterated the necessity and benefits of family planning. “Family planning is first and foremost a lifestyle choice, an act of responsibility and a sure way to build a better future for the mother, the child and the family,” he stressed.
The chief medical officer then made a solemn appeal for increased collective engagement from partners, opinion leaders, and communities, so that “every woman, every couple and every young person can access reliable information and quality family planning services.”
The launch of SNPF+ was marked in concrete terms by awareness sessions and practical demonstrations, in particular on breast self-palpation, in front of a population that was very mobilized for the occasion. Beyond the provision of family planning services (contraception, counseling), this special week will extend to all health facilities in the district.
The program will also include free and systematic screenings for female cancers (cervical and breast), sexually transmitted infections (STIs/HIV), and viral hepatitis, hence the qualifier “plus” for this second edition. These days are seen as a unique opportunity to offer integrated and local health services, essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health.