Born Into Care: A Newborn's Fighting Chance With ARCH

Grace's experience with Benin’s Assurance Maladie pour le Renforcement du Capital Humain (AM-ARCH) is a testament to the transformative power of universal health coverage. A beneficiary of the AM-ARCH program since 2021, Grace's story is not just about overcoming illness, but about the promise of a healthier future for the next generation.

Two years ago, when malaria struck, Grace was relieved to receive free treatment at her community healthcare center, thanks to her AM-ARCH insurance policy. Grace is among the many Beninese who are treated for malaria through the AM-ARCH program, as 64 percent of the total number of medical consultations provided to AM-ARCH beneficiaries are related to malaria, emphasizing the program's critical role in addressing this dominant health issue. However, the true extent of AM-ARCH's impact became evident during her pregnancy. The same healthcare system that had treated her malaria was now ensuring her well-being through regular appointments with qualified medical professionals, aligning with the recommended guidelines of at least four prenatal visits.

As Grace navigated through her pregnancy with the care and security provided by AM-ARCH, she found comfort in knowing that her unborn child would enter the world with access to healthcare. Upon giving birth, AM-ARCH extended its protective embrace, ensuring Grace’s newborn received  neonatal care, providing crucial support during the earliest and most vulnerable stage of her child's life. Moreover, the policy covered specialized care, including pediatric consultations, essential health commodities, and timely vaccines. . All these services, offered entirely free, provided more than just medical assistance—they laid a foundation for her child's healthy future.

Prior to AM-ARCH, Grace's story might have been different, fraught with the challenges and complications of limited financial resources and therefore inaccessible healthcare. Today, with this AM-ARCH insurance, the narrative has changed. Not only Grace but for her entire family of her six siblings, her mother, her ailing father, and her newborn find solace in the assured healthcare that the card provides. Now, as Grace holds her healthy newborn, her immediate wish is simple yet profound: “The only thing I can ask for at this moment is the renewal of both my healthcare policy and that of my child. Without it, life will be harder and I doubt I will be able to meet my required check-ups.”

The AM-ARCH program, supported by USAID/Benin's HSS Accelerator, is not only saving lives but also ensuring the health of future generations by offering them a chance to thrive from birth. HSS Accelerator, an activity of USAID/Benin, has played a crucial role in expanding the AM-ARCH program across Benin. In partnership with the National Social Protection Agency (ANPS), AM-ARCH covers all 77 communes in Benin, benefiting over one million registered individuals. This expansion has been bolstered by the HSS Accelerator's support in integrating community feedback and coordinating with pertinent partners.

_{*Note: All photographs were taken with the consent of individuals involved, respecting their privacy and the sensitive nature of healthcare.*}