Helping to improve access to reproductive health services

Helping to improve women’s access to reproductive health care services is the thrust of the first project to be carried out in Benin by the international relief and development organisation CARE, which on Thursday announced the start of its operations in the West African nation. “Lack of reproductive health care services in Benin takes a horrific human toll each year,” said Jack Soldate, director of CARE’s West Africa programmes. About 500 out of every 100,000 women die each year as a result of complications during childbirth, according to the UNFPA. Infant mortality is also high. CARE’s three-year project will help Benin-Sante, a network of non-governmental organisations, and its 80 member organisations to strengthen their ability to improve the reproductive health of Beninese women.