This summer the MenAfriNet consortium and the international non-profit organization Jhpiego partnered to sponsor a five-day intensive training session in Burkina Faso for regional public health professionals.

The director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department at the Ministry of Health in Burkina Faso, Dr. Issaka Yameogo, highlights the strength of the case-based surveillance system in Burkina Faso and the strides to overcome bacterial meningitis moving forward. 

The story of Rahinatou, a young meningitis survivor from Niger, highlights the importance of rapid care, high quality surveillance, and strong laboratory capacities in reducing the burden of bacterial meningitis across Nigerien communities.

Professor Rasmata Ouédraogo-Traoré, the Chief of the Medical Analysis Laboratory of the Charles De Gaulle Pediatric Hospital, which houses the National Reference Laboratory for meningitis in Burkina Faso, shares her journey to this career while outlining the importance of laboratories and scientific studies in the fight against bacterial meningitis.

Meningitis outbreaks due to the type of bacterial called Neisseria Meningitidis A are decreasing due to vaccinations with an exciting new vaccine called MenAfriVac. This was made possible through a strong partnership aimed at reducing the burden of bacterial meningitis so that survivors like Payan, who’s story is shared here, are better protected from the deadly disease in the future.