Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COTONOU1225
2006-12-20 10:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: MINISTRY OF HEALTH INAUGURATES TWO-WAY RADIO NETWORK

Tags:  EAID SCUL PREL BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9837
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #1225 3541002
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201002Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9099
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 001225 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W
DEPT PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SCUL PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: MINISTRY OF HEALTH INAUGURATES TWO-WAY RADIO NETWORK
IN NORTHERN BENIN


UNCLAS COTONOU 001225

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W
DEPT PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SCUL PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: MINISTRY OF HEALTH INAUGURATES TWO-WAY RADIO NETWORK
IN NORTHERN BENIN



1. On December 8, Benin's Minister of Health, Dr. Flore Gangbo,
together with representatives of USAID, UNICEF, and WHO, officially
launched a radio communication network to serve the
Malanville-Karimama health zone, a poor region in the far
northeastern corner of Benin. This two-way radio network used
$150,000 of USAID funding, in a partnership with UNICEF to install
the system.


2. With this communication system the residents of this health zone
will have access to better treatment for medical emergencies,
especially obstetric cases where the life of the mother and the baby
may be in danger. A birth attendant in a remote village can now
call a midwife or doctor at the health zone hospital to get advice
or refer a difficult case for expert care.


3. Two-way radio communications networks are increasingly being used
in developing countries to handle difficult obstetric cases and
other medical emergencies. In Benin, where maternal and infant
mortality rates are high, this is a helpful tool to protect the
health of the residents living in the nine districts served by the
radio network. In his speech, the USAID Mission Director commended
UNICEF and the Ministry of Health for this productive partnership
and stressed the need for continued cooperation among donors and the
government to succeed in substantially reducing maternal and
neo-natal mortality.

HOLTZAPPLE