130 actors mobilized to better plan health interventions in the northwest and southwest regions

Yaoundé (Cameroon) - The North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon are experiencing a crisis characterized by clashes between separatist forces and national armed forces, massive displacement of populations, and deterioration of essential social services.

Despite this climate of insecurity, many technical and financial partners, as well as NGOs, assist populations in need. But it appears that these goodwills need better coordination and that the information, which is piecemeal and incomplete, does not make it possible to address problems efficiently.

This is why the Ministry of Public Health supported by WHO, GIZ, and technical partners organized a workshop in Yaoundé from November 14 to 15, 2018, to exchange experiences, plan and implement interventions and health priorities in the South West and North West regions with all stakeholders.

The opening speech of the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, painted a gloomy picture: health indicators plummeting, children who are no longer vaccinated, pregnant women no follow up, chronically ill patients without treatment, and suspended health surveys. He prescribed two emergencies: establish a harmonized roadmap, and find the path of communication with those who kill and attack health workers.

The representative of WHO, Dr. Phanuel Habimana, recalled the role of his organization, which is to bring its technical capacity as well as the emergency preparedness measures, identifying in advance the agencies and organizations responsible for coordinating the sectors concerned.  Along with improving the humanitarian response by demanding higher standards of predictability, stakeholder responsibility, and partnership in all sectors or areas of activity.

After two days of intense work, the socio-health situation in the Northwest and Southwest was analyzed, planning methods and strategies for implementing public health interventions in these two regions were reviewed shared and capitalized, and priority health actions defined within all levels of the health pyramid. A roadmap for the implementation of activities by the State with the support of partners has been drawn up.