Benin

Benin is one of the more stable countries In Africa, though a poor one, with few natural resources and where over 33 per cent of its inhabitants subsist on less than a dollar per day. Malaria is a common cause of death, and HIV/AIDS is also a health concern.

MSF has developed a comprehensive HIV/AIDS project in the department of Mono-Couffo, a rural area where HIV prevalence, at 3.4 per cent, is reported to be the highest in the country. Activities Include counselling, testing, treatment and an educational program mounted in collaboration with local associations. MSF conducts an average of 620 medical consultations and initiates antiretrovirals (ARVs) for 35 new patients monthly. By the end of 2006, 900 patients will be taking ARVs.

Now that the project is well established, MSF is preparing its transfer to local health authorities and partners, whilst it continues to advocate for authorities to provide free treatment for all illnesses linked to HIV/AIDS.

Caring for Togolese refugees

Since June 2005, MSF has run a project to ensure medical care for up to 10,000 Togolese refugees in a camp at Agamé, in the south of Benin. In February 2006, violent confrontations between refugees and local residents resulted in the destruction of the camp and the medical outposts of MSF were looted. Refugees made a massive departure towards Lokassa, 12 kilometres from Agamé. One week later, many returned to the area and MSF was able to re-establish its activities, performing approximately 2000 consultations monthly for a population of 6690 refugees.

Diagnosing and treating patients with malaria

In September 2005, in the refugee camp of Agamé, 45 per cent of patients with fever were diagnosed as being affected by malaria. MSF intervened to provide more accurate diagnoses using a rapid qualitative test for malaria. MSF tested 3388 people with fever and treated the 1028 people requiring treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), currently the most effective antimalarial in this area.

MSF has worked in Benin since 1997.

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