During their sixth general assembly held this past Saturday in Ouagadougou, leaders of Burkina Faso’s Union of Public Pharmacy Depot Managers and Cashiers once again pressed government authorities to address their working conditions. Central to their demands is the urgent need for an official professional status to recognize their vital role in the nation’s healthcare system.

The gathering, themed “The resilience of volunteers serving the nation”, provided a platform for participants to voice growing concerns over what they describe as increasingly untenable working conditions.

The fight for professional recognition

Speaking on behalf of the Union, President Ousmane Bolly highlighted the plight of workers who have served for decades without proper professional recognition. “Many of these individuals have dedicated 20 or 30 years to this work, yet some still earn less than the minimum wage,” he stated, emphasizing the stark contrast between their contributions and compensation.

The Union represents over 3,000 depot managers and cashiers operating across Burkina Faso’s health districts, underscoring the breadth of their impact on healthcare accessibility.

Vulnerability due to regulatory gaps

The absence of a formal regulatory framework governing their profession leaves these workers exposed to professional instability, they argue. Workers who speak out about their conditions reportedly face the threat of arbitrary dismissals, while some avoid publicly identifying with the Union out of fear of retaliation.

Inadequate compensation amid rising living costs

Participants also criticized the meager salaries, which typically range between 20,000 and 25,000 FCFA per month. With inflation eroding purchasing power, they contend that these wages are no longer sufficient to meet basic needs.

Despite their critical role in managing medication distribution and patient interactions in often overburdened health facilities, depot managers say their compensation does not reflect the importance of their work.

A decade of advocacy with little progress

The Union has pursued numerous avenues since 2020 to secure improvements, including:

• Direct engagements with the Ministries of Health and Civil Service;
• Formal appeals to the Presidential office;
• Active participation in policy discussions on pharmacy management.

While the organization has conducted a comprehensive census of its members and submitted detailed records to relevant authorities to support the creation of a regulatory framework, tangible progress remains elusive. Leaders insist that the financial proceeds from pharmacy depots alone cannot ensure sustainable improvements without state intervention.

Closing the assembly, Ousmane Bolly commended the participants’ dedication while urging authorities to act swiftly on their demands, warning that continued inaction risks further destabilizing this essential sector.