Benin is ranked by the United Nations as the 163rd poorest nation among 177 tracked by the Human Development Index.
The hospital ship Africa Mercy, the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, will remain in the port of Cotonou until the end of 2009. It is the fourth visit by Mercy Ships to the country.
In a region of many failed or failing states, Benin has a government that respects basic human rights and freedoms including improved access to health care. Statistics on health and education suggest some
improvements over the past decade, but nearly 30 per cent of the population still lives below the poverty line.
Benin is described as one of the most stable countries in West Africa. The main income is from exports of agricultural products, but the country is seeking to become a tourist destination, particularly for African-Americans tracing their roots to the slave trade in which Benin played a large part under the old name of Dahomey.
Benin is also regarded as the birthplace of Voodoo, although the country has a wide diversity of religious beliefs. Voodoo and other traditional African religions are practised widely in rural areas particularly. Total population is just under 9 million.
During the ten-month assignment, volunteers from around the world will carry out a wide range of medical and community development services. The Africa Mercy has six operating theatres, a 78-bed hospital and state-of-the-art equipment. Free surgery will be offered to the Beninese to correct deformity, disability and blindness.
Plans include more than 200 orthopaedic surgeries, nearly 2,000 reconstructive and tumour surgeries, 140 procedures to correct obstetric fistulas in women, and up to 20,000 dental care procedures. Health education and training will also be provided.
One project named Mercy Vision will help reduce the number of blind people in Benin. Of the estimated 48,000 Beninese blind, more than half are blind because of cataracts. During previous visits Mercy Ships volunteer surgeons have provided cataract surgeries for more than 1,000 patients. This year, up to 3,000 cataract surgeries will be provided. Community clinics will evaluate and treat 10,000 people for basic eye disease, while 5,000 pairs of sunglasses will be distributed along with another 5,000 pairs of reading glasses to appropriately selected patients.
Since 1978, volunteers serving with Mercy Ships have had an impact on the lives of millions of people in the world's poorest nations. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide.
Mercy Ships has provided services valued at more than $700 million.
*Performed more than 35,000 surgeries such as cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, orthopaedic reconstruction and obstetric fistula repair.
*Treated more than 238,000 people in village medical clinics.
*Performed more than 194,000 dental treatments.
*Taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers, who have in turn trained others.
*Taught 105,000 local people in primary health care.
*Delivered more than $70 million worth of medical equipment, hospital and other supplies.
*Completed more than 950 community development projects including construction of schools, clinics, orphanages, water wells and agriculture programs.
*Demonstrated the love of God to people in over 550 port visits in 70 different nations.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships has 14 support offices around the world, including the Australian office on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
More at www.mercyships.org.au