In October 2023, our team had the privilege of traveling to Cotonou, Benin, to co-host a workshop alongside partners from CARE Benin-Togo, University d'Abomey-Calavi, FADeC, and Carleton University. This event was a significant milestone in our journey, as we gathered to reflect on our collaborative efforts in Benin since 2018 and delve into the details of our latest project (from 2021-2022) where we saw a 25% decrease in the rate of anemia among women who used the Fish. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from NGOs, government bodies, academia, and the private sector for this one-day workshop, where we focused on strategizing how to scale interventions to combat iron deficiency anemia in the region. Since the workshop, a working group, Alliance Against Iron Deficiency (AAID), has been established to continue this work.
A standout moment of our workshop was connecting with Ange-Marie Nicodème Esse from the NGO Health Access Initiative (HAI). Under Ange-Marie's passionate leadership since 2021, HAI has been making significant strides in community health in Benin. Following the event, Ange-Marie has been actively implementing the Lucky Iron Fish in Benin. This collaboration marks a promising step forward in our collective mission to tackle iron deficiency anemia and enhance health outcomes in Benin. Read on to learn more about HAI's impactful work.
Strengthening nutrition in Benin: increased efforts by Health Access Initiative (HAI)
Health Access Initiative is a nonprofit organization legally registered and led by Ange-Marie Nicodème Esse, a specialist in community health, transforming lives in Benin since 2021. Comprising dedicated young volunteers, HAI focuses on community health interventions and participatory action research. Through self-funded initiatives and with a dynamic team of youth, HAI was awarded the Best Youth Organization in Benin in 2023.
Empowering Communities Through Health
HAI is all about community health interventions and participatory action research. In 2022, their nutrition interventions focused on screening malnutrition in children aged 0-5. They referred severe cases to health centers for free, adequate care, and provided counseling for moderate cases to ensure timely nutritional recovery. These initiatives have touched thousands of families, making a real difference in their lives.
Introducing the Lucky Iron Fish
A significant milestone for HAI occurred in 2023 with the introduction of the Lucky Iron Fish (LIF), an innovative tool combating iron deficiency and anemia. Upon discovering LIF, HAI seized the opportunity to incorporate it into its nutrition programs. The primary goal was to raise awareness among communities, especially women, about the importance of LIF through sensitization sessions in 12 communes across Benin. Furthermore, HAI consistently shares its LIF-related activities on social media to reach a broader audience.
Advocacy has been pivotal in this initiative. HAI gathered testimonials from affected women to create a policy brief advocating for the availability and accessibility of LIF. This advocacy targets local authorities in nutrition and food security sectors as well as international NGOs, urging them to provide technical and financial support for dissemination, availability, and accessibility initiatives of this life-saving tool in Benin.
Health Access Initiative is more than just an organization; it’s a movement powered by passionate young volunteers dedicated to transforming lives. Their journey is a testament to the power of community, innovation, and unwavering commitment to a healthier future for all.
FRENCH VERSION:
Renforcer la nutrition au Bénin : les efforts accrus de Health Access Initiative (HAI)
Health Access Initiative est une organisation à but non lucratif légalement enregistrée et dirigée par Ange-Marie Nicodème Esse, spécialiste en santé communautaire, qui transforme des vies au Bénin depuis 2021. Composée de jeunes bénévoles dévoués, HAI se concentre les interventions en santé communautaire et la recherche-action participative. Grâce à ses initiatives mises en œuvre sur fonds propres avec une équipe de jeunes dynamiques, HAI a reçu en 2023 le prix de la Meilleure Organisation de jeunes au Bénin.
En 2022, les interventions de HAI en matière de nutrition comprenaient le dépistage de la malnutrition chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans, l'orientation des cas graves vers des centres de santé pour des soins gratuits et adéquats, et le suivi-conseil pour les cas modérés afin d'assurer une prompte récupération nutritionnelle. Ces efforts ont touché plus des milliers de familles.
Un tournant majeur pour HAI est survenu en 2023 avec l'introduction du Lucky Iron Fish (LIF), un outil innovant qui combat la carence en fer et l'anémie. Dès la découverte du LIF, HAI a saisi l'opportunité de l’incorporer dans ses programmes de nutrition. L’objectif principal a été de sensibiliser les communautés, notamment les femmes, à l'importance du LIF à travers des séances de sensibilisation dans 12 communes du Bénin. De plus, HAI publie systématiquement sur les réseaux sociaux ses activités liées au LIF pour atteindre un public plus large.
Le plaidoyer a été une pierre angulaire de cette initiative. HAI a recueilli les témoignages des femmes touchées pour créer une note politique plaidant pour la disponibilité et l'accessibilité du LIF. Ce plaidoyer cible les autorités locales du secteur de nutrition et de sécurité alimentaire ainsi que les ONG internationales, incitant à soutenir techniquement et financement les initiatives de vulgarisation, de disponibilité et d’accessibilité de cet outil salvateur au Bénin.
Malgré les défis rencontrés par les organisations de jeunes, les bénévoles de HAI restent déterminés dans leur mission de bâtir des ponts vers une santé équitable et durable pour tous, en responsabilisant les communautés, notamment les jeunes, face aux défis de la santé communautaire au Bénin.
