We just finished a very animated two-week PBF course (the 27th) in Cotonou Benin organised by BEST-SP, SINA Health and HDP Rwanda. There were 35 participants, who all attended the full 12 days from April the 8th to the 19th.  All conducted a test for which the participants achieved the above average result of 79%. There were 10 distinctions, which means 3 mistakes or less from a total of 30 multiple-choice questions. The majority of participants were funded by the CTB Belgium (16x), the World Bank and Cordaid.

Highlights of the course:

The course was special as the result of the strong political interest from the Ministry of Health and the 22 Benin participants produced during the course recommendations, which they presented to the Minister of Health and the national Press. The recommendations concerned how to make the PBF design in Benin more pure so that the reforms will make better use of the potential efficiency gains that PBF can offer. This will strengthen the health system towards focusing on both the efficiency and the quality of health services. As a result, we expect the PBF design to strengthen health facility autonomy and the collaboration with the private sector. The recommendations aim also at enhancing competition in particular between health facilities and essential drugs distributors.  This course also has once again highlighted the dangers of free health care without good financial coverage.