REMaRAG - Projects in Benin

What is being done?

Benin participates in the "Roll Back Malaria" program, and the Benin Ministry of Health is taking a proactive approach to dealing with malaria. 

Incidence of malaria is very high in Benin, and malaria is the number one child killer by far. Front line of defense, such as bed nets are available at moderate cost in national health clinics. 

Benin is also participating in a trial anti malarial vaccine program.

How is it being done?

Most programs are being administered through the national health network. 

Rotary have distributed bed nets in the past in highly endemic regions of Benin. i

Most work is being done through Ministry of Health of Benin, in partnership with donor agencies. 

Although there has been a slight decrease in the incidence of malaria where large distributions of bed nets have occurred, malaria rates remain extremely high in Benin, and have no prospects of immediate change without serious efforts. 

Roll Back Malaria is an excellent program, but not ambitions enough to provide the push necessary to reduce incidence of malaria significantly in Benin.

There are a number of Rotarians who work at involved agencies. USAID, WHO, and the Benin Ministry of Health, some of the chief players in the fight against malaria in Benin, all have representatives who are members of the Rotary Clubs of Benin.

The REMaRAG contact in Benin is Nicholas Mancus, email him at nicholas_mancus@yahoo.com

Also Aissata Coulibaly

PAG AÏSSATA COULIBALY AS A REMARAG SPEAKER

I was admitted to membership of Rotary Club of Abidjan Golf, Côte d’Ivoire on March 23rd, 1995, with a classification Consulting Engineered. After progressing from Committee Member to Chairman of several Committees and after having served as a Director of each avenue of service, I was privileged and honored to be elected to serve as President of my club, in 2000-2001.

In 2001-02, I served as District chairman International Committee,

I served as National Secretary of Côte D’Ivoire Polio-Plus Committee from 1997 to 2005.

From 2002 to 2005 , District Assistant Governor

Since 2002, I served as Resource persons to lead our groups in discussing during AGTS, PETS and the District Assembly

2007- 2008, I am a current Chairman of District Malaria Committee and REMARAG West Africa Coordinator,

I have attended several District Assemblies and Conferences as well as several RI Conventions and Two Presidential Conferences.

I am a Paul Harris Fellow with 4 stones.

Progress report submitted Sept 2008 from Aissata, 

 Current chairman of D9100 Malaria Commission and REMARAG West Africa Coordinator. Our Current District Governor is RAPHAEL FIATY from Togo. Our District includes Liberia and another 13 West African countries.

The Malaria Project started seven years ago as the District Program. And we have gained experience in Nets distribution, social mobilization, working with social and health workers, health centres and the National Malaria Control Program of the different countries in the district.

About our organisation for funds raising and Nets distribution, we divided our 14 countries in three zones to maximize the funds and increase our distribution assets.

 1. The first Zone regroups : GAMBIA, GUINEA, GUINEA BISAU, MALI and SENEGAL. This is piloted by a Rotary Zone Coordinator who works with the Rotary National coordinator of each country

2. The second Zone regroups : BURKINA FASO, CÔTE D'IVOIRE, LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE with a Zone Coordinator and a National Malaria Coordinator in each country

3. The Third Zone regroups : BENIN, GHANA, NIGER & TOGO. This has also a Rotary Zone Coordinator and 4 Rotary National Coordinators, 

OUR TARGET : CHILDREN UNDER 5 OLD YEARS & PREGNANT WOMAN

 This means if you decide to raise funds for one or several countries of our District, Rotarians can organise the Net distribution, the social mobilization, etc. There's no need to budget such activities.