Serving the medical needs of a population of over 120,000 means that things are rarely quiet at the Bethanie medical centre. However, as the rainy season approaches in Burkina Faso, staff are preparing themselves for things to get a whole lot busier.
For most of the year, the climate is hot and dry, but the rains are due to start in the next few months, reaching their peak between June and September. The hot, moist conditions that occur as a result can have a detrimental effect on health for many. Malaria is a particular problem, with the conditions encouraging the mosquitoes that carry the disease to breed. On average, the medical team see referrals to the centre double during the rains and staff are on hand 24 hours a day, every day, to offer treatment and care to all those who need it.
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