Growing up healthy

Ensuring children’s survival, protection and healthy development

In Benin, the rate of child mortality is high: 167 out of every 1,000 children born die before the age of five.   In rural areas, people see this tragedy as unavoidable and beyond their control, yet the large majority of these deaths are caused by preventable and curable diseases. The most common illnesses among children here are diarrhoea, malaria, acute respiratory infections, measles, malnutrition and
intestinal parasites.

Plan has been working with 63 villages to raise awareness about the causes of infant deaths and the need for parents and communities to take preventative action. Our aim is to increase awareness about the importance of immunisation, the benefits of oral rehydration and good nutrition, the reasons behind intestinal parasite infestations and malaria control (only 49% of one year-olds are fully immunised).

This work has been achieved through workshops and training sessions involving community health volunteers and local health workers. We will also work with the relevant government departments to help provide adequate equipment, materials and practical and easy-to-apply medicines.