Burkina Faso’s Only Eye Doctor For Children Sees The Trauma Of Both Play And Conflict

In Burkina Faso, a nation with only 70 ophthalmologists for 23 million people, Dr. Claudette Yaméogo stands as the country's sole pediatric ophthalmologist, treating children with eye injuries that are often seen too late for effective intervention. Most eye specialists are concentrated in major cities, making access nearly impossible for the 70% of the population living in rural areas, as evidenced by only 52 of over 2,000 ophthalmology procedures being performed in rural regions in 2024. The financial burden is significant for families like Isaka Diallo's, who spent valuable time and money to reach Dr. Yaméogo only to learn his injury had become too severe to treat effectively.