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USAID/Benin and the Ministry of Health Officially Launch the new PISAF Project
The Beninese Minister of Health, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Benin, officially launched the five-year, $15.5 million, USAID-funded Integrated Family Health Project (PISAF in French) on Friday June 9, 2006 in Abomey.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Flore Gangbo, officially launches the PISAF project. |
Signed in March 2006, the project focuses on improving access to and delivery of family health products and services, including prevention and treatment of malaria, improved treatment of diarrheal diseases, increased immunization coverage, greater usage of family planning, improved handling of complications from pregnancy and birth, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, among others. Although the project concentrates on the Zou-Collines Regions, it will also have limited activities in the Borgou-Alibori and Ouémé-Plateau Regions. Furthermore, the technical assistance team responsible for implementing the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will ensure that successful tools and approaches are adopted nationwide.
In his speech at the colorful launching ceremony, his excellence Ambassador Wayne Neill congratulated the government and the people of Benin for their commitment to democracy and development in their country. The US government, the Ambassador added, is pleased to support this commitment by investing, through PISAF, in the health of the Beninese population. In officially launching the PISAF project, the Minister of Health, Dr. Flore Gangbo, expressed the hope that this investment by the American government would help create favorable conditions for increased participation by the population in sustained economic growth. She also promised her ministry's full support to the success of the project.
Other partners operating in the health sector in Benin, such as UNICEF, WHO, and UNAIDS, as well as international NGOs participated in the launching ceremony.
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The King of Abomey attentively listens to the US Ambassador's speech. |
Other personalities in attendance included local and traditional authorities, including the Préfet of the Zou-Collines Region, the Deputy Mayor of Abomey and the King of Abomey. University Research Corporation (URC), the cooperating agency managing the PISAF project, was represented by Dr Aguima Tankoano, PISAF Chief of Party and Waverly Rennie, Senior BCC & Community Advisor from URC headquarters.
The ceremony ended with a handover of over of almost $40,000 worth of computer and other office equipment for regional and zonal health officials. Other equipment to be provided through the project will contribute to improved quality of health care delivery at the clinic level.
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A local dance troupe entertains the launch ceremony participants. |
The Minister of Health thanks the US Ambassador to Benin for the equipment provided by the PISAF project. The Regional Medical Officer of Health for Zou-Collines and the UNAIDS Representative in Benin look on.
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