Social Protection Policies in Response to Health Risks: Dynamics, Issues, and Contemporary Challenges. The Case of Burkina Faso.

Abstract

Social protection is a fundamental pillar for ensuring equitable access to healthcare, especially in a context marked by health crises and growing inequalities. This article explores social protection policies in relation to health risks, highlighting their current perspectives and challenges. In a world where economic and demographic pressures are increasing, these policies play a key role in the resilience of health systems and in the protection of vulnerable populations. The aim of this research is to analyze the extent to which social protection policies enable equitable and sustainable access to healthcare in Burkina Faso. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on an in-depth literature review, including institutional reports, scientific articles, and public policy documents, along with secondary data from recent studies on health systems in various contexts. The document analysis reveals that, despite progress made, the health-related social protection system in Burkina Faso remains only partially functional. This weakness is particularly evident in rural areas and in the informal sector, where contributory mechanisms are difficult to implement. Through innovative strategies such as community-based mutual health organizations and targeted free healthcare initiatives, Burkina Faso shows a capacity to adapt the principles of solidarity and universality to its local context. Improving governance, increasing the mobilization of internal resources, and engaging communities are key strategies for moving toward the effective universalization of the right to health.