Analysis of Burkina Faso's institutional framework and budget allocations for NCDs control and monitoring

Diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are today a major public health problem and a global development challenge. Yet governance responses to these diseases are still in their infancy in most low-income countries like Burkina Faso. How Burkina Faso organizes itself institutionally and financially to respond adequately to NCDs is unknown to the scientific community. The aim was to analyze Burkina Fasos institutional framework and budget allocations. This was a cross-sectional survey based on mixed (qualitative and quantitative) data collection. The analysis revealed a number of difficulties in the institutional framework hindering the performance of the fight against NCDs in Burkina Faso, including (i) the absence of a multi-sectoral policy or strategic plan involving all stakeholders, (ii) the absence of a multi-sectoral coordinating body and (iii) the lack of sufficient financial resources. A total of twentynine (29) budget lines related to the prevention and/or management of NCDs were identified, with a total budget of 17.33 billion FCFA ($29.8 million), or an average of $2.72 million per year. This represents only 1.55% of the total budget of the Ministry of Health over the same period. We recommend, among other things, the development of a national multi-sectoral policy with a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of each player, the creation of a coordinating body, improved funding, and greater attention to NCDs in the provision of primary healthcare services.