The epidemiological profile of Benin is characterized by a variety of tropical diseases, with a predominance of endemic/epidemic illnesses, primarily malaria, cholera and cerebrospinal meningitis. Infant mortality is still high (89 deaths per thousand live births), and the maternal mortality rate is also giving cause for concern (498 deaths per 100,000 live births). The frequency of visits to health centres is low. Drinking water and proper sanitation are still in short supply. Life expectancy at birth is 52 years.

SDC's Health program in Benin is focusing on: restructuring and decentralising the public health care system, improving the private (non-profit) health care sector, supplying low-cost medicines, strengthening supervisory organs of health care centers, supporting the development of a health insurance system.

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The SDC will support the public health sector in Benin for a further phase, using a decentralised approach. (SDC News, June 13, 2004)

"Public health in Benin is marked above all by transmittable diseases that become long-term epidemics. In the districts of Borgou and Collines, where the SDC's public health programme is being implemented, malaria, serious respiratory infections, and diarrhoea account for more than 75% of diseases among young children. It is no coincidence that half of the people in this poorest part of the country have no access to clean drinking water, and almost one-third of the children suffer from malnutrition. Approximately 60% of the population has inadequate access to health facilities.

In accordance with the principle of decentralisation, the programme aims to improve health care under a system of five health zones with a total of 86 health centres. Optimisation of health resources and improvement in the quality of care will play an important role. While the target group for this programme, consists primarily of the most vulnerable members of society: the poor, women, and children, it focuses not only on curative measures. Major attention will also be given to prevention and dialogue on public health among partners, in order to achieve sustainable success. Attempts will also be made in this context to integrate traditional forms of medicine.

The SDC has earmarked approximately CHF 10 million for the new phase of this public health programme, which will run until mid 2007."