COTONOU - The U.S. Government has renewed its financial assistance for community health services in Benin, with a contribution of more than 5.4 billion CFA. This assistance is part of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) efforts to improve maternal and child health and fight malaria. 

In partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Departmental Directorates for Health, and local communities themselves, the U.S. Government will train and equip community health workers to strengthen the delivery of the Government of Benin’s Package of High-Impact Interventions (PIHI). USAID will finance this intervention in 17 communes as follows: all of the Mono Department (Comè, Bopa, Houéyogbé, Grand-Popo, Lokossa, Athiémé); all of the Donga Department (Bassila, Djougou, Copargo, Ouaké); parts of the Collines Department (Savalou, Bantè); and parts of the Atlantic Department (Allada, Zè, Toffo, Abomey-Calavi, Sô-Ava).

“Community health workers are the first line of defense against disease at the local level and USAID is proud to support these life-saving health services and systems. This 5.4 billion CFA in American assistance is the most recent example of the partnership between USAID and the Government of Benin in promoting good health in Benin,” said USAID/Benin Country Representative, Mr. Carl Anderson. 

USAID is making this financial commitment over the next four years based on the success of its first phase of support to PIHI, which started in 2014. In total, USAID will have supported community health with more than 11 billion CFA over 10 years.

The U.S. Government spends 15 billion CFA per year to assist the Government of Benin in improving health services and strengthening the health system. Besides community health, the United States also supports the fight against malaria, the delivery of family planning services, and the strengthening of medical supply chains in Benin.