Cameroon: Experts Zoom into Major Setbacks On Attaining Universal Health Coverage

By Boris Esono Nwenfor & Sonita Ngunyi Nwohtazie [caption id="attachment_105743" align="alignnone" width="780"] The Cameroon government recently launched the first phase of the UHC plan in the Mandjou locality in Bertoua, East region on April 12th.[/caption] BUEA, April 15, 2023 - For a country like Cameroon to attain Universal Health Coverage, UHC, an adequate and qualified human resource is required to accommodate the growing population. Surprisingly, sources state that a majority of the country’s doctors practice in the Centre region, Yaoundé, where only 18% of the population resides. As the country faces several challenges, attaining UHC by the year 2030 is still in progress, following the WHO agreement of all Member States. What measures are currently taken by the government to improve access to healthcare in the country? Does the country have adequate human resources to provide quality care for all nationals? These questions and more were at the center of discussions at an event organized by the Health Policy and Research Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute on April 12, 2023, on the theme: "Major setbacks in attaining Universal Health Coverage in Cameroon." "We need to understand that Universal Health Coverage is not just health insurance but a minimal health package to which each citizen should have access to healthcare without any financial constraints," Dr Joseph Stéphane Nguidjol said. [caption id="attachment_105744" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Universal Health Coverage covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.[/caption] "African countries need to reduce their over-dependence on foreign medical aid," said Busi Anissette. "We also need to address the plight of healthcare personnel. They should be provided with all that is required to deliver quality healthcare services." Universal health coverage entails all people having access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. "Adopted healthcare policies should be adapted to the context and implemented with proper follow-up. Also, we need to increase the number and quality of our healthcare personnel to meet the needs of the population," Adanze Nge Cynthia, a Public Health specialist said. "There should be equal allocation of medical equipment and personnel. Rural areas should not be neglected. Medical equipment should be fully utilized and well taken care of," said Dr Layu Donatus. The Cameroon government recently launched the first phase of the UHC plan in the Mandjou locality in Bertoua, East region on April 12. The first phase of the UHC is said to cover pregnant women, children aged between 0-5 years, patients on dialysis, and people living with HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis. More than 6 million inhabitants are expected at the enrollment sites with 7,000 persons registered already online. [caption id="attachment_105745" align="alignnone" width="624"] Health experts speak at an event organized by the Health Policy and Research Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute on April 12, 2023, on the theme Major setbacks in attaining Universal Health Coverag[/caption] "The UHC, especially the mother and child project has begun in the East already and will run for the whole year and continue similarly in the other regions," Cameroon's Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie said. "We want to make sure that people who do not have access to health care services will access them and while they do that they do not find themselves with financial hardship. It is about improving the quality of health care services." "To make health for all a reality, all people must have access to high-quality services for their health and the health of their families and communities. To do so, skilled health workers providing quality, people-centred care; and policy-makers committed to investing in universal health coverage are essential," the World Health Organization, WHO said. Universal health coverage requires strong, people-centred primary health care. Good health systems are rooted in the communities they serve. They focus not only on preventing and treating disease and illness but also on helping to improve well-being and quality of life. Cameroon is currently faced with major internal crises affecting various regions, forcing community members in some of these regions to flee and become internally displaced.  Since November 2021, Cameroon has been experiencing shortages and increases in prices of staple goods as a result of inflation, making it more challenging for some to access quality healthcare services.