Porto-Novo, 25 August 2025 - Dr. Kouamé Jean Konan, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Benin, met with His Excellency Louis Gbèhounou Vlavonou, President of the National Assembly, to discuss strengthening Benin’s health system and accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The meeting highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and predictable health financing. In the current international context marked by declining global health aid, Dr. Konan emphasized the importance of increased domestic resource mobilization, in line with the Abuja commitment, to ensure that health remains a national priority.

After conveying the greetings of the recently elected WHO Regional Director, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, Dr. Konan commended the Beninese Parliament for its efforts to increase funding and resources for the health sector despite the decline in official development assistance.

“It is important that our countries, through their national assemblies, continue to allocate greater resources to the health sector. I had the opportunity to meet with a National Assembly President who is well-informed and truly aligned with the health and social sector priorities,” stated Dr. Kouamé Jean Konan.

For his part, His Excellency Louis Gbèhounou Vlavonou reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment:
“The National Assembly will fully play its role as a guardian and supporter to ensure that health remains a priority in public policies. Through our oversight mechanisms, legislation, and the parliamentary health caucus, we will continue to work to ensure that every citizen in Benin has access to quality healthcare.”

The National Assembly has already demonstrated its engagement through the creation of a parliamentary caucus on certain morbidities and diseases, a platform capable of playing a transformative role in developing health legislation, ensuring accountability, and allocating resources effectively.

Dr. Konan expressed his deep gratitude to President Vlavonou for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to making health a cornerstone of Benin’s development. He presented the WHO–Benin Cooperation Strategy 2023–2027, reflecting the strategic collaboration between WHO and the country to effectively support national health priorities, along with the WHO Country Office Performance Reports, highlighting progress achieved, ongoing challenges, and WHO’s continued commitment to supporting national health priorities.