ANCRE - Quarterly Report No. 7 from January 1 to March 31, 2016

Implemented by University Research Co. LLC (URC) with Results for Development Initiative (R4D) and Dimagi Inc. as key partners, the program operates in 10 health zones throughout 5 departments. The program's geographic focus includes the Kandi – Gogounou – Ségbana (KGS) and Tchaourou in Borgou-Alibori (Northeast), Djougou – Copargo – Ouaké (DCO) and Bassila in Atacora-Donga (Northwest), Savalou – Bantè (SABA) and Covè – Zagnanado – Ouinhi (COZO) in Zou-Collines (Central Benin), Cotonou 2 & 3, Abomey-Calavi – Sô-Ava (AS) and Allada – Zè – Toffo (AZT), in the Atlantic Littoral (South), and Comè – Bopa – Grand-Popo – Houèyogbé (CBGH) in Mono-Couffo (Southwest). ANCRE is in its second year of implementation, covering a population of 3,500,000 inhabitants, representing one third (33%) of the total estimated population of Benin in 2014. The program's main purpose is to address the direct causes of maternal and child mortality in Benin. To achieve this goal, ANCRE supports the Ministry of Health, its partners, and communities in improving public health sector performance, private health sector performance, and prevention and care-seeking behavior of an empowered population. The program's key interventions include improving planning and management of health systems and services, especially at the decentralized level, improving quality of service delivery in private health facilities, especially for women and young children, and increasing appropriate health-promoting behaviors made by households and especially women. ANCRE's implementation details include supporting the Ministry of Health in improving public health sector performance, particularly in the areas of planning and management of health systems and services, quality of service delivery in private health facilities, and availability of essential commodities. The program also supports the private health sector by improving public sector policies, oversight, and supervision of private sector health care delivery. Additionally, ANCRE focuses on improving prevention and care-seeking behavior of an empowered population by increasing appropriate health-promoting behaviors made by households and especially women. The program's geographic focus and context are critical in understanding its implementation and impact. ANCRE operates in 10 health zones throughout 5 departments in Benin, covering a population of 3,500,000 inhabitants. ANCRE's partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, its partners, and communities, are essential in achieving its goals. The program's performance monitoring and evaluation framework is designed to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The program's challenges and problems are also addressed through its performance monitoring and evaluation framework. ANCRE's quarterly report provides a comprehensive overview of the program's progress, achievements, and challenges during the reporting period.