Comparative Medicine in Benin: An African Perspective on Two Decades of Progress and Practice

Comparative medicine, the study of disease across species, is relevant for improving health in Africa. In Benin, its application in obstetrics and gynaecology and other fields has developed, but a synthesised analysis of its progress is absent. This perspective aims to critically examine the development and contemporary state of comparative medicine studies in Benin. It outlines the field's contributions to medical research and identifies ongoing challenges and opportunities from an African standpoint. This is a perspective article employing a narrative synthesis of existing literature, professional observations, and documented case studies from Benin. A reflective, analytical approach is used to assess the field's trajectory. Key insights: A central theme is the pragmatic integration of comparative studies into public health strategy, notably in zoonotic disease surveillance. Research on animal reproductive health, for example, has informed protocols for managing some maternal health complications in rural communities. Comparative medicine in Benin has matured into a pragmatic, interdisciplinary field addressing local health priorities. Its strength is its contextual relevance, though its development across medical specialities remains uneven. Future efforts should strengthen institutional frameworks, foster formal collaborations between medical and veterinary schools, and secure dedicated funding for One Health-oriented research. Comparative medicine, Benin, One Health, obstetrics, gynaecology, zoonoses, Africa, medical research This article provides a consolidated African perspective on the evolution of comparative medicine in Benin, highlighting its contextual applications and proposing a pathway for its sustainable integration into the national health research agenda.