Menstrual health in Benin: A Cotonou media competition spotlighted menstrual health as more than products—highlighting the need for water, accurate information, hygiene facilities, and timely care when symptoms become concerning. Abortion law explained: Journalists in Grand-Popo reviewed Benin’s 2021 abortion framework, stressing it is not unrestricted and must be provided by accredited health professionals within regulated conditions. School feeding expansion: Benin’s school canteen programme now reaches about 1.9 million children in 2026-2027, up from 1.4 million the year before, aiming to cut hunger and support local economic activity. New specialized hospital in Calavi: Benin opened the Centre Hospitalier International de Calavi (CHIC), a 434-bed facility with advanced services like MRI/CT, cancer care, dialysis, and intensive care to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad. Humanitarian health support: NBM donated blood to UBTH to replenish the hospital blood bank and support patients needing urgent transfusions. Maternal health pressure in West Africa: UNFPA urged urgent presidential action after reporting severe maternal deaths in Ghana, tied to gaps beyond health services. Drug control in Edo (health safety): NDLEA destroyed five cannabis farms and seized tramadol and other substances, arresting suspects and calling for local government collaboration. Refugee return talks (health access): Benin, Togo, Ghana and Burkina Faso signed UNHCR agreements for voluntary, safe refugee returns, with safety and sustainability still a major concern. Regional health leadership: Togo’s Palokinam Pitché began a four-year term as WAHO director general, succeeding Benin’s Melchior Aïssi.