With limited resources and often overstretched services, healthcare workers are doing their best to respond to the increasing number of patients, particularly the most vulnerable children. However, key challenges persist: a shortage of qualified staff, gaps in equipment, and inadequate hygiene conditions. It is in this context that the ALIMA-Keoogo-SOS Médecins BF alliance joined forces to support the health authorities. Since 2024, their collaboration has helped to sustainably strengthen the pediatric and nutrition services at Boulsa’s Medical Center with Surgical Antenna, leading to a tangible improvement in child survival rates.
Before ALIMA, a limited response
Until 2023, the Medical Center with Surgical Antenna in Boulsa received a high number of children suffering from severe malnutrition, respiratory infections, and neonatal complications. Healthcare workers were doing everything they could, but the growth in demand for care has greatly increased the pressure on services.
The pediatric service and Inpatient Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation and Education treated many children in critical situations. Despite the determination and commitment of the local teams, the lack of specialized equipment, continuous training, and sufficient staff limited the quality of care. These constraints resulted in high in-hospital mortality rates in 2024: 9.72% in pediatrics and 12.71% in the Inpatient Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation and Education.
ALIMA’s response: improving pediatric and nutritional care at all levels
Faced with these challenges, the ALIMA-Keoogo-SOS Médecins BF alliance implemented an integrated approach, complementing and strengthening the efforts already made at each stage of the care chain.
Staff trained to save young lives
- ALIMA and its partners strengthened the pediatric service and the Inpatient Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation and Education by deploying an additional team composed of 9 state-certified nurses, 4 nutritional assistants, 2 nursing assistants, 6 hygienists, 1 mental health worker, and 1 health promoter.
- Alongside local teams, these reinforcements benefited from targeted training in neonatal care, resuscitation, triage and emergency treatment (ETAT), transfusion safety, and infection prevention.
Thanks to this support, emergencies are now better identified and treated more quickly, limiting preventable complications and improving the survival of hospitalized children.
“Thanks to the support of ALIMA and its national partners, we’ve been able to strengthen our team and significantly improve the quality of care. Before, we were overwhelmed, especially during malaria peaks. Today, all cases can be taken care of in time.”
Jean-Baptiste Nabaloum, Head of Pediatrics & CREN, Boulsa’s Medical Center with Surgical Antenna.
Vital equipment for critical situations
Support from ALIMA and its local partners has also made it possible to equip the pediatrics service and the Inpatient Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation and Education with essential medical equipment. These essential tools, once lacking, now offer the possibility of quickly stabilizing newborns in distress and ensuring reliable clinical follow-up. Equipment provided includes:
- 4 oxygen concentrators
- Mechanical and electric suction devices for clearing airways
- Pulse oximeters and multifunctional monitors
- Nebulizer, blood glucose meters, and a photometer (Hemocue)
- Care trolley, oxygen distributors, otoscopes
“Before the arrival of the ALIMA-Keoogo-SOS Médecin BF alliance, it was very difficult: a lot of equipment was lacking. Today, thanks to oxygen concentrators, heating tables, and infant warmers, many lives have been saved.”
Jean-Baptiste Nabaloum
Tangible results: mortality reduced more than sevenfold
In one year, the impact is striking:
| Service | Mortality rate in 2024 | Rate in 2025 |
| Pediatrics | 9,72% | 1,27% |
| CRENI | 12,71% | 2,41% |
These figures mark a turning point in Boulsa’s health trajectory. This significant decrease in mortality is largely attributable to the progress made in the care of infants and children, made possible by:
- Improved ongoing clinical monitoring
- Better control of resuscitation gestures
- A safer care environment
Support that goes beyond medical care
The action of ALIMA and its local partners has not been limited to medical support. The teams also worked to improve hospitalization conditions of children and health workers, particularly in the context of malnutrition.
“Before, patients came with their own clothes. Now they receive clean sheets, soap, etc. Caregivers also receive three meals a day. This has greatly helped everyone.”
Jean-Baptiste Nabaloum
By building on existing progress, providing adapted equipment, trained staff, and rehabilitated infrastructure, the ALIMA-Keoogo-SOS Médecins BF alliance has helped Boulsa to reverse a trajectory long marked by child vulnerability.
Behind each percentage, lives have now been saved, and families can now look forward to seeing their children grow up healthy.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the support of ECHO and USAID/BHA.
Crédits photos : © ALIMA
