The Role of Private Health Schools in Addressing Workforce Shortages: A Case Study of the "Le Bouctou" Network in Mali

Background: A youth demographic and a high disease burden contribute significantly to Mali's challenges in having an adequate number of health workers. This gap has been filled by the private health schools, including the “Le Bouctou” network. This study examines these schools on factors related to quality of training, graduate job opportunities, and relevance to national health needs. Methods: A mixed-methods study examined administrative data (2019–2023), student surveys (n = 299), and stakeholder interviews. AMAQ-SUP (Agence Malienne d'Assurance Qualité de l'Enseignement Supérieur) evaluated programs based on five categories: objectives, pedagogy, governance, infrastructure, and employment outcomes. Results: "Le Bouctou" trained 3,436 (f=82.7%) graduates, evaluating at an 80% average pass rate. New employment was 75% after six months (60% private sector). Positive factors were practical education and curriculum relevance, although rural access disparities and gender gaps remained. Conclusion: Some support is necessary for private schools in Mali to improve workforce equity and quality of care.