Burkina Faso wants to build a national health intelligence center 🏥 🇧🇫

Modernizing the healthcare system with digital tools 💻

Burkina Faso’s health system faces numerous challenges, and authorities are betting on digital solutions to address them. The idea of launching a health intelligence center came up during a working session between Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, Minister of Digital Transition, and Robert Kargougou, Minister of Health.

Among the top priorities discussed: rolling out electronic health records (EHR) and expanding connectivity across medical facilities via the RESINA health data network.

Rwanda’s data-driven model offers a blueprint 🇷🇼

The proposed Burkinabè center draws inspiration from Rwanda’s Health Intelligence Hub, unveiled in April 2025. Designed with an advanced digital architecture, the Rwandan model processes massive streams of data in real time—from hospitals, clinics, labs, and more—to inform public health decisions.

The goal: give policymakers accurate, timely insights to improve care delivery, anticipate health crises, and build system resilience.

Rwanda’s platform runs on a six-layer architecture. It starts with data collection from multiple health sources, followed by cleaning, standardization, storage, enrichment, analysis, and finally visualization through clear dashboards. This layered approach offers decision-makers a real-time snapshot of the population’s health, making it easier to plan and respond swiftly to emergencies.

Adapting the model and ensuring digital sovereignty 🔐

There’s no official timeline yet for the launch in Burkina Faso. However, discussions between ministries have already surfaced some critical challenges:

• Adapting the platform to local health realities,
• Ensuring data privacy and security for patients,
• And guaranteeing interoperability with existing digital systems.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of involving all stakeholders early in the process—health workers, IT professionals, and civil society alike—to ensure the transformation is embraced rather than resisted. Another key point: training a skilled workforce capable of developing, managing, and maintaining the platform over time.

Overcoming tech gaps to make digital health work 🧩

For this digital shift to succeed, the country will need more than a great idea. The rollout of EHRs, for instance, depends on robust infrastructure, reliable IT equipment, and trained professionals.

Persistent issues—such as poor connectivity in rural areas, underfunded digital infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified staff—continue to slow down progress.

Still, the vision is clear: make digital tech a pillar of Burkina Faso’s public health system. By drawing on the Rwandan model—praised for its efficiency—Burkina Faso is taking steps toward a more predictive, resilient, and tech-powered approach to healthcare.

👉🏾 Do you think digital innovation can truly reshape healthcare across Africa? Join the conversation.