AGP Executive Report

Emergency Care Boost: The U.S. has handed Cameroon two mobile field hospitals (over $10m / CFA6bn) to strengthen rapid emergency response, with one based in Maroua and another kept in Yaounde for nationwide deployment. Health Access for Communities: The Shisong Sisters will inaugurate St. Clare Catholic General Hospital in Douala on July 25, followed by a two-day subsidized campaign (July 22–23) offering free malaria screening, blood pressure, blood sugar, haemoglobin tests and confidential HIV testing, plus discounts on diagnostics. Health Financing Reform: Nkafu Policy Institute convened experts in Yaounde to push healthcare insurance reforms, focusing on regulating private health insurance, expanding coverage for health workers, and improving financing for the elderly. Child Protection & Water/Health Links: UNICEF Cameroon and NHPC signed a two-year deal to support child protection and local development around the Nachtigal project, including upgrades to schools, health centres and safe drinking water. Prison Health & Rights: Archbishop Samuel Kleda renewed calls to humanise Cameroon’s prisons, citing overcrowding, poor hygiene, lack of ventilation and prolonged pretrial detention. Cardiology Milestone: Buea’s Dr Fred Perry Kemah earned a cardiac echography diploma from Paris Sorbonne University, highlighting growing local expertise in heart care.

Health Insurance Reform Push: Nkafu Policy Institute convened experts in Yaounde to tackle Cameroon’s private health insurance governance, coverage gaps for health workers, and financing for the elderly—aiming to strengthen Universal Health Coverage. Emergency Care Upgrade: The US handed Cameroon two mobile field hospitals (over CFA6bn) to boost rapid response during epidemics, disasters and major health crises, with one set for Maroua and another kept as a national reserve. Power Reliability for Health: Socadel appointed General Bank of Cameroon to structure a CFA60bn fundraising to finance electricity network investments—responding to outages and voltage fluctuations that disrupt households and services. Maternal & Newborn Support: A newborn blanket initiative launched in Ghana (Upper East) to improve maternal and newborn care—donating blankets and supplies to health facilities and child welfare homes. Community HIV/Child Protection Closeout: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services wrapped Children Momentum and Equality Projects in the Northwest, targeting children living with HIV, adolescents at risk and vulnerable families through better access to care and community support. Cleft Care Network: Smile Train launched a Smile Train Africa Alumni Network, bringing clinicians from multiple countries including Cameroon to strengthen locally-led cleft surgery and speech care. Water Access in Cameroon: Cameroon continues rolling out major water projects (SEWASH and Yaounde network expansion) to improve supply and reduce gaps in safe drinking water. Workforce Health System Strain: Reports from Tiko highlight unpaid CDC workers and poor working conditions in health facilities, raising concerns about service continuity and staff wellbeing. Surrogacy Moratorium Debate: UN-backed political moves call for an international moratorium on surrogacy, citing risks to women and children—Cameroon is listed among co-hosts.

Health Financing & UHC: Nkafu Policy Institute convened experts in Yaounde to push health insurance reforms, focusing on regulating private schemes, improving coverage for health workers, and financing care for the elderly. Emergency Care: The US handed Cameroon two mobile field hospitals (over CFA6bn) to strengthen rapid response for epidemics, disasters, and major health crises, with one set for Maroua and another kept as a national reserve. HIV & Child Health: Northwest Region stakeholders closed out Children Momentum and Equality Projects by Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, targeting children living with HIV, adolescents at risk, and vulnerable families through better access to care and community support. Maternal & Newborn Support: A newborn blanket initiative was launched to improve maternal and newborn care by equipping health facilities with blankets and baby-care supplies for vulnerable children. Research & Public Health: A Louisiana Christian University professor and students published studies linking environmental changes to insect health as a mirror for human well-being, adding to the growing push for community-linked health indicators. Cleft Care Network: Smile Train launched its first Africa Alumni Network assembly, bringing surgeons and speech professionals from multiple countries including Cameroon to strengthen locally-led cleft care. Water & Health Security: Cameroon begins implementing the €184.9m SEWASH water project, aiming to expand safe water supply—key for reducing water-related illness. Power Reliability: Socadel appointed a local bank to structure CFA60bn financing to restore electricity reliability, targeting outages and voltage fluctuations that disrupt health services.

Water & Sanitation: Cameroon has officially launched the operational phase of the €184.9m SEWASH Water Security Project, with a first steering committee meeting in Yaounde to expand access to drinking water and improve sanitation services (2025–2030). Blood Safety: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service says it collected 187,224 blood units in 2025, raising coverage to 47%, but still falls short of the 400,000 annual blood bags needed nationwide. Cleft Care (Cameroon & region): Smile Train convened African health professionals to strengthen locally-led cleft care, bringing surgeons and speech specialists from countries including Cameroon. Menstrual Health: A Cameroon project funded by Global Affairs Canada is tackling menstrual hygiene stigma in Mehe, reporting that 98% of women and girls previously relied on old cloths. Prison & Justice (health-linked): A Catholic Archbishop in Cameroon called for reforms to end forced disappearances and improve detainee rights, noting that about 70% of detainees are awaiting trial. Workplace Health & Pay: CDC workers in Tiko protest unpaid salary arrears, with reports of harsh working conditions in health facilities. Food & Export Sustainability: Rainforest Alliance reports major regenerative agriculture support in Cameroon and highlights export rule pressure, including EU deforestation requirements.

Water & Sanitation: Cameroon has officially launched the operational phase of the €184.9m Water Security Project (SEWASH), with a first Steering Committee meeting in Yaounde aimed at expanding access to drinking water and improving sanitation across regions, supported by World Bank IDA funding. Safe Water for Urban Households: In Yaounde, a separate CFA87bn project is set to expand the city’s drinking water network to reach about 30,000 more households, including upgrades like pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines and remote management to cut losses. Blood Supply Watch: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) says it still falls short of the estimated 400,000 blood bags needed annually, citing low voluntary donation and funding gaps despite improving coverage to 47%. Menstrual Health: A community project in Mehe (Far North) is tackling menstrual hygiene stigma and misinformation, with officials saying proper management can prevent infections and improve education access for girls. Cleft Care in Africa: Smile Train launched its first Africa Alumni Network assembly, bringing together surgeons and speech professionals from multiple countries, including Cameroon, to strengthen locally-led cleft care amid a shortage of specialist surgical staff. Workplace Health & Rights: CDC workers in Tiko staged protests over unpaid salary arrears, with nurses and rubber tappers describing unsafe working conditions and delayed pay.

Water Security & Public Health: Cameroon has officially launched the operational phase of the €184.9m SEWASH Water Security Project, with a first Steering Committee meeting in Yaounde on June 29. The World Bank-backed programme (2025–2030) aims to expand access to safe drinking water and sanitation, strengthen water governance, and improve planning and service delivery across multiple regions. Urban Water Expansion: In parallel, Cameroon launched a CFA87bn project to expand Yaounde’s drinking water network, adding supply for about 30,000 more households over 36 months, including new pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines and remote management to cut losses. Blood Supply & Safety: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) says it collected about 187,224 blood units in 2025, reaching 47% of national needs, but still falls short of the estimated 400,000 units required annually—citing funding gaps and low voluntary donation rates. Menstrual Health in the Far North: Good Neighbors Cameroon and partners supported a project in Mehe to improve menstrual health education, tackling stigma and misinformation; officials say 98% of women and girls previously relied on old cloths.

Water & Sanitation: Cameroon has formally launched the operational phase of the €184.9m Water Security Project (SEWASH), with a first Steering Committee meeting in Yaounde chaired by the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba. Funded through a World Bank IDA credit, the 2025–2030 phase targets stronger water governance, safer drinking water and improved sanitation across multiple regions, with planning and procurement frameworks validated at the start. Water Network Expansion (Yaounde): Separately, Cameroon launched a CFA87bn project to expand Yaounde’s drinking water network, adding supply for about 30,000 more households over 36 months, including new pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines and remote management to cut losses. Menstrual Health: In Mehe (Far North), Good Neighbors Cameroon, supported by Global Affairs Canada, is tackling menstrual hygiene stigma through education and community awareness; an assessment found 98% of women and girls previously relied on old cloths, and the project marked International Menstrual Hygiene Day with community activities. Blood Safety: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service reviewed its 2025 performance and 2026 budget execution, noting blood collection rose to 187,224 units in 2025 but remains below the estimated 400,000 annual requirement, with low voluntary donation and funding gaps cited.

Surrogacy Debate: France’s 2027 presidential race is reigniting the surrogacy fight, with Gabriel Attal pushing for a national debate on legalizing a practice still banned in France, while President Macron calls it a “red line” and cross-party critics warn it “makes women’s bodies available” and won’t fix birth-rate challenges. Humanitarian Protection: The Central African Republic accepted 18 people deported from the US under a “third country” transfer deal, including Cameroonians, despite UN and rights groups stressing protections for those facing persecution or torture. Cholera Alert: Central African Republic health officials declared a cholera outbreak after 24 deaths; 197 cases were reported in Bimbo and M’baiki, with authorities urging strict hygiene and preventive steps. Cameroon Wildlife Care: Ape Action Africa in Cameroon shared archived footage of Shufai, an ape shot after hunters killed his mother; his arm was later amputated due to severe injury, highlighting the harm of bushmeat trade. Global HIV Policy: UN member states adopted a declaration backing harm-reduction approaches to HIV, including decriminalizing drug use and prostitution and allowing non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners.

Wildlife & Public Health: Ape Action Africa (Cameroon) shared archived footage of Shufai, a baby ape shot after hunters killed his mother—his arm was later amputated, but he survived and was rehabilitated, highlighting the wider harm of bushmeat trade. HIV & Rights: The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration backing decriminalization of drug use and prostitution, non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners, and broader sexual autonomy—sparking major objections and abstentions. Cameroon Health Security: Cameroon is laying groundwork for a strategic 2027–2031 national health security action plan, aiming to strengthen preparedness for outbreaks and emergencies. Disease Alerts: Cholera has been declared in Central African Republic after 24 deaths and 197 cases were reported in Bimbo and M’baiki districts. Health Access Data: A new global map shows where safe drinking water is still out of reach—more than 2 billion people lack safely managed services. WASH & Child Protection: Plan International Cameroon is empowering Junior Parliamentarians to champion WASH and child protection. Allergy Care: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, pushing allergy and immunology into essential health services across Africa.

Public Health Planning: Adamawa State in Nigeria has launched a five-day multi-hazard risk assessment workshop, supported by UNICEF and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, to map threats to public health and safety and improve outbreak and flood response. Cholera Update (Regional): The Central African Republic has declared a cholera outbreak after 24 deaths and 197 cases were reported across Bimbo and M’baiki health districts, with officials urging strict hygiene and prevention. Cameroon Health Security: Cameroon is laying groundwork for a strategic 2027–2031 national health security action plan, aiming to strengthen preparedness and response. Allergy Care (Pan-Africa): AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, calling for allergies and immunologic diseases to be treated as essential health care across African health systems. Health & Safety (Cameroon Environment Link): Media professionals in Yaounde were trained to tackle Cameroon’s household waste crisis, highlighting health risks from worsening waste and pushing better public awareness. Mpox Lab Probe (Global, Cameroon-linked): US lawmakers are examining concerns after NIH scientists were charged over alleged mpox smuggling and misleading investigators; one accused researcher is from Cameroon.

Cholera Alert (Central Africa): Cameroon Health Wire readers should note a cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic, where health minister Pierre Somse reported 197 cases and 24 deaths in Bimbo and M’baiki health districts, with authorities citing rapid interventions that prevented deaths among patients treated in facilities or communities. Health Security Planning (Cameroon): In Cameroon, stakeholders have completed an orientation workshop for the National Health Security Action Plan 2027–2031, using a “One Health” approach and organizing work around prevention, detection, and response to tackle 19 priority action areas. Allergy Care Push (Pan-Africa): The African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) marks World Allergy Week 2026, warning that asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis remain under-recognised and under-planned for across Africa. Mpox Lab Probe (Cameroon link): A US congressional scrutiny is underway after NIH scientists were charged over alleged mpox smuggling into the country; one accused researcher is linked to Cameroon. Gender-Based Violence Advocacy (Cameroon): Human rights groups again press Cameroon to do more to protect women and girls from systemic violence.

Cholera Alert (CAR): Cameroon Health Wire readers may want to watch CAR closely as the Central African Republic’s health minister Pierre Somse confirmed a cholera outbreak after 24 deaths and 197 cases were reported across Bimbo and M’baiki districts, with authorities urging strict hygiene and preventive measures. Health Security Planning (Cameroon): Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health has wrapped up an orientation workshop for the National Health Security Action Plan 2027–2031, using a “One Health” approach and grouping work around prevention, detection and response to strengthen preparedness for public health crises. Allergy Care Push (Africa): AFRICALLI is marking World Allergy Week 2026, warning that allergic and immunologic diseases are under-recognised across Africa and calling for better specialist training, diagnostics and essential medicines. Mpox Lab Probe (US/NIH): A US House committee is examining claims that NIH scientists allegedly smuggled mpox into the country without declaring it, raising concerns for biosafety and oversight. Food & Nutrition (Regional): Tomato prices are rising sharply in parts of West Africa due to supply shortages and insecurity, pushing households toward cheaper substitutes like tomato paste.

Cameroon Health Security: Cameroon has kicked off the orientation workshop for its NHSAP 2027–2031, using a One Health approach to map fixes across prevention, detection and response, with 19 priority action areas reviewed to strengthen preparedness for public health crises. Allergy Care in Africa: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026, warning that asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies and other immunologic conditions are a growing but under-recognised burden across Africa—pushing for allergy care to be built into national health planning. Mpox Lab Scrutiny: A U.S. congressional probe is examining claims that NIH scientists smuggled mpox vials into the country and misled investigators, raising concerns about oversight at high-containment research facilities. Ebola Watch: Reports highlight an escalating Ebola situation in DRC and Uganda, with experts warning that conflict, misinformation and funding gaps are complicating response efforts. Global Policy on Surrogacy: Italy and partners, including Cameroon and the Holy See, launched a UN push for an international moratorium on surrogacy, arguing it violates children’s dignity and rights.

World Allergy Week 2026: AFRICALLI is pushing for allergy and immunology to be treated as essential healthcare across Africa, warning that asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis are widely under-recognised—despite driving school absence, hospital admissions, and preventable deaths. The pan-African alliance says allergies are often left out of national health planning, specialist training, and essential-medicines lists, and it’s working to strengthen education, standards, research, and advocacy across 20+ countries. TB Diagnostics in Cameroon: The Global Fund is backing a near point-of-care molecular test for tuberculosis in 13 countries, including Cameroon, aiming to expand rapid, accurate testing in underserved areas with results in about an hour. Ebola Watch (DRC/Uganda): Health experts warn the 2026 Ebola outbreak could become one of the worst on record, with no vaccine yet for the Bundibugyo strain and conflict and misinformation complicating response. Cameroon Health & Environment: TRAFFIC reports a new illicit trade in African grey parrot blood near Lobéké National Park, following earlier arrests of trappers who extracted blood for medicine and religious practices.

Tomato prices and inflation: A market survey reports fresh tomato costs rising sharply across the country, driven by supply shortages and insecurity in farming areas, with households shifting to cheaper substitutes like tomato paste and dried tomatoes. Ebola warning for Central Africa: Health briefings say the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak is worsening, with underreporting linked to stigma, conflict, and misinformation; experts stress case isolation and surveillance while noting no vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain. Cameroon wildlife health story: Parry, a gorilla in Cameroon’s Mefou forest sanctuary, has returned to the wild after multiple surgeries for a broken leg, highlighting the role of specialist veterinary care and funding. TB testing push (Cameroon included): The Global Fund backs a near point-of-care molecular TB diagnostic rollout in 13 countries, including Cameroon, aiming to speed up accurate diagnosis in underserved areas. Gender-based violence accountability: Human Rights Watch renews calls for Cameroon to do more to prevent violence against women and girls, citing weak institutions, underinvestment, and barriers to justice. SRHR access for displaced people: Stakeholders call for stronger, rights-based sexual and reproductive health services for migrants and refugees, including in Cameroon, to reduce risks like sexual violence and unsafe pregnancy. Wildlife trafficking alert: TRAFFIC reports an emerging illegal trade in African grey parrot blood near Lobéké National Park, used for medicine and religious practices, raising new conservation concerns.

TB Diagnostics Boost: The Global Fund is rolling out a near point-of-care molecular TB test in 13 countries, including Cameroon, aiming to deliver nearly 3 million rapid, accurate tests to underserved areas—using tongue swabs and results in about an hour to overcome limits of smear microscopy and hard-to-deploy lab methods. Ebola Response Disrupted: In DR Congo’s Ituri, an Ebola outbreak has led to the cancellation of major diocesan youth celebrations as health authorities step up surveillance and prevention to reduce transmission risks. Cholera in the Lake Chad Region: Cholera has reached a resettled community in Borno, Nigeria, where limited access to care is worsening spread and deaths, underscoring the need for faster detection and treatment in the region that also affects Cameroon’s cross-border health security. Gender-Based Violence Watch: Human Rights Watch says Cameroon has failed to meet past commitments to cut violence against women and girls, pointing to weak protection, delayed legal reforms, and underinvestment in survivor support—calling for urgent family law reforms and better services. Surrogacy Moratorium Push (Cameroon-linked): Italy, Chile, Cameroon and the Vatican backed a UN Human Rights Council declaration calling for an international moratorium on surrogacy, citing exploitation risks and harms to women and children.