Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Burkina Faso: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating Palliative Care and Medical Coverage in Burkina Faso

   • University Hospital Centres and public network: When the ill person is treated at a public facility under the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (Ministère de la Santé et de l'Hygiène Publique, such as the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital Centre, the Tengandogo University Hospital Centre, or the Charles de Gaulle Paediatric University Hospital Centre in Ouagadougou, or the Souro Sanou University Hospital Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso), the attending medical team organises the palliative care protocol, pain management, and outpatient or home follow-up [4] [5].
   • Universal Health Insurance Fund (CNAMU) and private insurance: It is advisable to check coverage for care and essential medications with the national health insurance schemes supervised by the health and social authorities or with the ill person's mutual fund or private health insurer, requesting a detailed medical report from the attending physician [3] [4].
   • Consolidating the medical file: We suggest requesting a complete certified copy of the medical file (hospitalisation reports, specialist examinations, and prescriptions) from the facility of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene or private clinic now to facilitate continuity of care and social security claims [4] [5].
2. 2

   Expressing Advance Medical Wishes and Appointing a Trusted Healthcare Proxy

   • Informed consent and patient rights: Under the Public Health Code and the Code of Medical Ethics in force under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, every adult patient in full possession of their faculties has the right to medical information, the right to accept or refuse an invasive medical procedure, and the right to receive care aimed at relieving suffering [4] [5].
   • Written statement of medical wishes and family representative: Although Burkina Faso does not maintain a specific national electronic registry for advance directives, the ill person may, while retaining full mental lucidity, record in writing (preferably by authentic deed before a notary supervised by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights) their wishes regarding end-of-life treatments and expressly name a trusted relative (personne de confiance) as interlocutor with physicians in the event of subsequent inability to communicate [1] [4].
   • Communication to the healthcare team: A signed copy of this statement and the contact details of the trusted representative should be delivered to the head physician of the hospital department for inclusion in the medical record as well as to family members [4].
3. 3

   Establishing Bank Mandates and Notarial Powers of Attorney While Capacity Is Full

   • Authentic power of attorney before a notary: Under the civil law and the Personal and Family Code applied by the courts of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (Ministère de la Justice et des Droits Humains), it is a priority for your family member to execute a general or special power of attorney (procuration authentique) by authentic deed before a Burkinabè notary while enjoying full civil capacity, enabling a trusted representative to manage property, collect pensions, and complete administrative procedures [1].
   • Notary visit to the patient's bedside: If the illness prevents the ill person from travelling to the notary's office but their mental faculties remain intact (which may be confirmed by a medical certificate from the attending physician), the notary may travel to the hospital or home to receive the deed [1] [4].
   • Bank mandates and CNIB validity: Burkinabè banks generally require registration of the mandate on their own internal forms together with presentation of a valid Burkinabè National Identity Card (Carte Nationale d'Identité Burkinabè - CNIB) or passport for both the account holder and the representative [1] [2].
4. 4

   Activating Disability Benefits (CNSS / CARFO) and Leave for Family Caregivers

   • Disability pension from the National Social Security Fund (CNSS): If the ill person is a salaried or voluntarily insured worker affiliated with the National Social Security Fund (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale - CNSS) and suffers, as a result of illness, a permanent reduction of at least two-thirds of their physical or mental capacity before reaching old-age pension age, they may apply for a disability pension (pension d'invalidité) under Law No. 004-2021/AN on the social security scheme, following a medical assessment validated by the CNSS medical adviser [3]. Furthermore, when a disability pensioner requires the constant assistance of a third person to perform ordinary daily activities, they are entitled to a constant-attendance pension supplement (majoration pour tierce personne) [3].
   • Public employees affiliated with CARFO: When your family member is a civil servant or public employee covered by the Autonomous Pension Fund for Civil Servants (CARFO), applications for long-term sickness leave, extended medical leave, or disability pension are processed following an opinion from the National Health Council of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene [3] [4].
   • Absence permissions for employed family caregivers: Family members employed in the formal sector may request exceptional permissions of absence for family events or to assist a seriously ill spouse, child, or parent under the Burkinabè Labour Code and collective agreements, upon presenting a hospital medical certificate [3] [4].
5. 5

   Advance Organisation of the Will, Insurance Policies, and Civil Status Documents

   • Drafting a will in accordance with the Personal and Family Code: To secure the transmission of the estate and prevent future disputes while respecting the compulsory reserve share of the surviving spouse and children set by the Personal and Family Code, the ill person may execute a public will by authentic deed before a Burkinabè notary (or a holographic or secret will) within the legal framework supervised by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights [1].
   • Reviewing life insurance contracts and property titles: It is advisable to check beneficiary designations on life insurance contracts and gather real estate ownership documents (Urban Habitation Permit - Permis Urbain d'Habiter - PUH, allocation certificates, or land titles) as well as banking contracts [1] [3].
   • Verifying civil status records and consular legalisation: To prevent any administrative difficulty during future procedures with the National Social Security Fund or the courts, it is essential to verify now the accuracy and consistency of first names, surnames, and dates on the birth certificates, marriage certificate, and CNIB of the ill person and their dependents; if heirs or assets are located abroad, powers of attorney and public deeds must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso (Ministère des Affaires Étrangères du Burkina Faso) and the competent diplomatic or consular mission [1] [2].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Judicial Services and Court Procedures - Ministry of Justice of Burkina Faso — Ministère de la Justice et des Droits Humains, chargé des Relations avec les Institutions
2. [2]
   Civil Status Records and Administrative Formalities in Burkina Faso — Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, de la Coopération Régionale et des Burkinabè de l'Extérieur
3. [3]
   Official Portal of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) - Pensions and Disability Branch — Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale du Burkina Faso (CNSS)
4. [4]
   Official Portal of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Burkina Faso — Ministère de la Santé et de l'Hygiène Publique
5. [5]
   Burkina Faso Health and Institutional Country Profile — Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS)