INTRODUCTION: The Benin Government introduced free caesarean section in public hospitals in 2009 and a national agency was created to manage free caesarean section. METHODS: Three years after introduction of free caesarean section, we evaluated this measure in the Ouidah hospital area (HZO) by analysing the hospital structure, the implementation process and the results. RESULTS: This study showed the efficacy of free caesarean section, which has helped to increase the caesarean rate from 2.38% in 2009 to 3.48% in 2012, a caesarean section mortality rate of 0.99%, insufficient information for beneficiaries, some drugs are not covered by this measure, and additional costs must be paid by beneficiaries. DISCUSSION: These results indicate the need for a detailed cost analysis to adjust the unit cost for caesarean section. This type of evaluation should be performed in all public hospitals in the country to more clearly identify malfunctions.
INTRODUCTION: The Benin Government introduced free caesarean section in public hospitals in 2009 and a national agency was created to manage free caesarean section. METHODS: Three years after introduction of free caesarean section, we evaluated this measure in the Ouidah hospital area (HZO) by analysing the hospital structure, the implementation process and the results. RESULTS: This study showed the efficacy of free caesarean section, which has helped to increase the caesarean rate from 2.38% in 2009 to 3.48% in 2012, a caesarean section mortality rate of 0.99%, insufficient information for beneficiaries, some drugs are not covered by this measure, and additional costs must be paid by beneficiaries. DISCUSSION: These results indicate the need for a detailed cost analysis to adjust the unit cost for caesarean section. This type of evaluation should be performed in all public hospitals in the country to more clearly identify malfunctions.