Burkina Faso's only eye doctor for children sees the trauma of both play and conflict
ABC NewsThursday, July 10, 2025 at 7:10:19 AM
In Burkina Faso, Dr. Claudette Yaméogo stands as the sole pediatric ophthalmologist, treating children who suffer from both everyday accidents and the devastating effects of ongoing conflict. Her work highlights the dire shortage of specialized medical care in a country grappling with instability, where kids face preventable blindness from injuries—whether from a stray soccer ball or a bomb blast.
Editor’s Note: Imagine being the only doctor in an entire country who can fix a child’s damaged eyes—now picture doing that in a place where violence is as common as playground scrapes. Dr. Yaméogo’s story isn’t just about one heroic doctor; it’s a stark reminder of how war and neglect cripple basic healthcare systems. For families in Burkina Faso, her presence is a lifeline, but her isolation is a failure of global attention. This isn’t just a health issue—it’s about what happens when kids are left vulnerable on every front.
— Curated via WP Now’s
