8144188912

burkina faso

HE AL’

AND NUTRITION FROJECT IPDSN1

I. INTBOPŁLCIŁPN

1.1 The Govemmeot of Bur kina Faso has reąuested IDA's assis tance in ftnancing a project designed to (a) łmprove dramatically the coverage and ąuality of basie health services for the Burkinabe population; (b) enhance the nutritional status of the population; and (c) develop a national capacity for achieving and maintaining control of certain endemic, parasitic diseases.

1.2 Total project costs are est)>«ted at US$38.9 million equivalent (net of taxes and duties), with a fbreign exchange compone.. of US$33.3 million. The Government and local communities would contribute US$2.0 million. The Federal Republic of Germany will contribute appronimately US$4.1 million (up to the equivalent of 9 million DM) and UNICEF will contribute US$3.6 million in parallel cofinancing during the period FY95-FY99. The project would be IDAs third contribution to the development of the health and nutrition sectors in Bur kina Faso. The investments under the proposed project would be complemented by support to be provided by IDA under the Population and AIDS Control project which is being prepared in pai dlel to this proposed project.

1.3 General Backeround. Burkina Faso is a landlocked country with a pop dation of about 9.5 million. With a per capita GNP of about US$290 iq 1991, Burkina Faso is among the poorest countries in the world. In particular, the level of human resources development is extremely Iow (see Annex 1.1 for basie social indicators). In a 1993 UNDP ranking of 173 countries according to their level of human resources development, Burkina ranked 170th. Basic social senrices are relatively undeveloped. The economy is dominated by the agricultural sector, which accounts for about 30% of GDP, generates over 60% of export eamings and employs almost 90% of the economically active population. With the other 12 countries of the CFA franc zonę, Burkina Faso devalued its currency by 50% relative to flie French franc in January 1994.

n- SECTORĄL CQNTEXT

Health Status

2.1 The health status of the Burkinabe population is poor with a life expectancy at birth of only 48 years (1991), compared with the average for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) of 51 years (1991). A major contributing factor to this Iow life expectancy is high infant and child mortality caused by widespread contagious diseases, unfavorabIe hygienic conditions, malnutrition, and the limited capacity of the health system to prevent these conditions and to treat them effectively once contracted.

2.2 Infant mortality of 133 per 1,000 (1991) remains high even by SSA standards, where the average is 104 (1991). About 18% of babies suffer from insufficient birthweight which limits their cnances of survival. Malaria is the primary cause of death for children under age one, while measles and diarrhea are the leading causes of death for children aged one to five. Less dian