[Flourishing of micro-units of health care in Benin]

The end of the marxist-leninist regime in Benin in 1990 has allowed a steady growth of what can be named "the micro-units of health care" at the periphery of cities. Demand for care from the urban poor and urban lower-middle classes is mainly directed towards these micro-units instead of the public (or private) official health centers. "Micro-units of health care" are small for-profit houses where primary care is delivered to buying patients by young health graduates who could not find a post in the official health system. Micro-units are blossoming in Benin, they are not registered and of course not controlled. The basic reasons for their success can be identified as followed: (i) modest investment, low cost and consequently low price; (ii) near the users; (iii) unsophisticated health care; (iv) no competition from the official health system; (v) the users give to these units a higher confidence than to the official health structures, the latter having of course a much higher medical standard; (vi) warm welcome and personalized services. It is probable that, twenty years ago, those who, in Alma Ata made the famous declaration on primary health care did not thought about these micro-units in Benin. It is certain that these micro-units are implementing a great deal of the principles highlighted by the Declaration of Alma Ata.