healthcare access in Mali remains uneven, with vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, and war victims facing significant barriers to quality medical services.

the 2012 security crisis further strained an already fragile healthcare infrastructure, exacerbating existing challenges. in response, malian authorities are prioritizing healthcare reforms despite persistent security concerns.

“population health improvement remains a government priority. i commend minister diéminatou sangaré for this initiative, which will create a platform for dialogue among healthcare stakeholders and beneficiaries to clarify their roles and responsibilities,” stated colonel abdoulaye maïga, interim prime minister of Mali, during the launch of the mohss initiative.

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prioritizing child health in Mali

the interim prime minister emphasized that the new initiative is timely, as key health targets remain unmet. alarming statistics highlight the urgency of the situation: “infant mortality stands at 54 deaths per 1,000 live births, 33% of births occur outside healthcare facilities, and only 45% of children aged 12-23 months receive all basic vaccines,” maïga noted.

he added: “one in three children under five suffers from stunted growth, and only 40% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. there is also widespread ignorance about healthcare and social protection systems, which further limits access to care.”