Burkina Faso
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Burkina Faso
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Burkina Faso based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Burkina Faso does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The form to request a transit or stay visa does not include questions on health status including HIV, but does recommend treatment against malaria and demands a compulsory vaccination against yellow fever.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Burkina Faso
It is unclear whether Burkina Faso imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
While UNAIDS and the US Department of State consider that Burkina Faso does not have HIV restrictions on short-term stay, the list of documents to apply for a short-stay visa includes ‘a medical certificate stating that the applicant does not suffer from a contagious disease (up-to-date international vaccination record).’ It is not clear whether HIV is considered among those diseases.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Burkina Faso
It is unclear whether Burkina Faso imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
The Consulate of Burkina Faso in Paris indicates that interested people should first request a short-term visa and then, once in Burkina Faso, approach the General Directorate for Migration to request a long-term visa.
The government e-visa system requests includes in the list of documentation: ‘a medical certificate stating that the applicant does not suffer from a contagious disease (up-to-date international vaccination record).’ It is not clear whether HIV is considered among those diseases.
Treatment access in Burkina Faso
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Burkina Faso. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to IOM, migrants have the same access to health services as citizens of Burkina Faso, regardless of their migratory status. Article 6 of Law No. 034-98/AN, the Hospital Law (1998), requires public and private hospitals to grant all individuals equal access to maternal and infant health care, vaccinations, and regular check-ups.
Furthermore, Article 255 of Law No. 028-2008, the Labour Code (2008), makes employers responsible for health fees incurred, thereby allowing migrant workers in formal employment, as well as citizens of Burkina Faso, to benefit from free healthcare through enrolment with the Workers’ Health Office. Employers are also responsible for all contributions to family benefits and accident benefits, while employers and employees both pay into pension contributions.
Law No. 060-2015/CNT on the Universal Health Insurance Regime (2015) establishes a universal health insurance regime, which covers curative, preventative and rehabilitative care for the whole population, regardless of nationality. Access to healthcare as part of this system is subject to payment of contributions.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
People living with HIV are criminalised in Burkina Faso. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are not aware of any reported prosecutions under these or other laws.
Visit the Burkina Faso page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
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