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​​​​​​​Benin: Nutrition and health monitoring to bolster children’s health 

Porto-Novo – Every day of the week, all primary and pre-primary pupils attending Benin's state schools are provided with a hot meal, served up in school canteens courtesy of the country’s National Integrated School Feeding Programme. The aim is to accelerate progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the elimination of hunger, and health, well-being and education for all, while supporting increased school enrolment and retention rates.

To add value to the programme, and also improve the health and psychomotor development of schoolchildren, an associated nutritional and health monitoring campaign is carried out biannually. This offers a package of services, including micronutrient supplementation, deworming and hygiene promotion in schools.

With the support of partners, including World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the campaign reached 60 schools in 2023, double the number for 2022. 

During the November 2023 campaign, 13 613 children were dewormed and 490 children under the age of 5 received vitamin A supplements. A total 10% of all pupils screened were diagnosed with malnutrition, down from 15% during the June 2023 campaign. 

Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
On this particular morning in June 2023, health workers have just arrived at the Sehougbato Public Primary School in south-western Benin. They bring scales for weighing the children, deworming and Vitamin A medications, therapeutic biscuits and trace elements, such as iron.

The health status of all the children, without exception, will be assessed. Weight, height and arm circumference are checked to determine their nutritional status.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
Once these checks are complete, the children who need treatment are assisted. Sika, a Grade 5 pupil, requires deworming and receives albendazole, the necessary anti-parasitic tablets that protect against intestinal worms. Complications from intestinal worms are a primary contributor to school absenteeism rates, and can negatively impact children’s growth.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
These campaigns also help detect cases of malnutrition among pupils. In the 60 schools visited, 13 986 children were screened, with 1367 cases of malnutrition detecteed. These included 390 severe acute cases and 975 moderate acute cases. Treatment for these children includes the provision of therapeutic foodstuffs.

"Children with moderate malnutrition are systematically given nutrient-rich biscuits. They are then given future appointments for their weight to be professionally monitored. Those suffering from severe malnutrition are transferred directly to health centres, where they receive the full package of care," explains Viscencia Houinato, a state nurse and campaign team member.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
By linking medical care to the school feeding scheme Benin's Ministry of Health aims to address both the physical and intellectual health of schoolchildren. "The Ministry felt that only providing hot food was not enough, and that health aspects also really needed to be taken into account," says Dr Félix Sonon, head of nutrition at Benin’s National Primary Health Care Agency. "The aim is not only to improve children's nutritional status, but also to improve their intellectual performance so that they perform better at school, and also to help retain them in school."
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
WHO, through the French Muskoka Fund, is supporting this initiative to monitor health and nutrition among schoolchildren in a bid to help entrench health promotion in schools.

"The school health environment and services provide an opportunity to monitor and screen for a range of diseases, including diabetes, malnutrition, depression, behavioural disorders and obesity," says Dr Jean Kouame Konan, WHO’s Acting Representative in Benin.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
As the consultations with the children continue, the hygiene officers spend time with the women who run the canteen, who are busy in the kitchen. On the menu today is fish with tomato sauce and rice, with oranges for dessert.

"We ensure that these meals are prepared in optimal hygienic conditions, and contain the essential nutrients to support good health," explains hygiene officer Jeanne Zinsou.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
Healthy eating also means respecting the rules of hygiene and sanitation, and that's where hygiene and sanitation technician Geoffrey Kotobiodjo comes in. "I'm here to give them a few guidelines on hand hygiene to avoid illnesses."

After his explanations, Kotobiodjo keeps a watchful eye as each of the pupils passes through the hand-washing station. "The children are very receptive and quickly grasp the message," he says.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
Once their hands are clean, the children sit down to eat. "At the canteen, the meals are delicious and we eat well. We'd like to thank the mothers," says Happiness, a Grade 2 pupil. "The nurses give us medicine and we're in good health. »

Parents also recognize the positive impacts of the programme. "With the school canteen, children no longer have to travel long distances in the hot sun to eat at home. They have lunch there. What's more, the nurses come to give out medicines, which reduces our expenses and decreases the number of health problems," says parent Faustin Akakpo.
Bénin :  le suivi nutritionnel et sanitaire pour maintenir les écoliers en bonne santé
Now, two years after implementation of the health component of the school feeding programme, the government of Benin and WHO are preparing to expand the package of services. Importantly, they intend to screen for hearing and sight challenges, both of which are essential for children to perform optimally at school.
For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Kayi Lawson

Communications Officer
Regional Office for Africa
Email: lawsonagbluluf [at] who.int 

AKOMATSRI Ayaovi Djifa

Chargée de Communication
OMS Bénin
Email: akomatsria [at] who.int