AGP Executive Report

Mpox Vigilance in Buea: Cameroon’s South West health authorities are urging calm and vigilance after a suspected Mpox (monkeypox) case was reported in Great Soppo, Buea, involving a 9-year-old girl; officials say monitoring and lab tests are underway and that prevention measures are already in place. Free Care in Rural Cameroon: A Chinese medical team delivered free healthcare services in Ngat-Bane (Centre Region) and treated 230+ patients across internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, eye and ear-nose-throat care, plus rehabilitation and acupuncture, with medication provided. Water Safety Warning: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water as a major health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked for water quality and public health protection. Leadership Update: President Paul Biya has left Cameroon for a brief private stay in Europe, as Yaoundé awaits the next cabinet. Security and Care Needs (Nigeria spillover): Reports from Borno say Boko Haram freed hundreds of abducted residents from Ngoshe, underscoring the urgent need for medical screening and psychosocial support for survivors.

Mpox Watch in Buea: South West health authorities urged calm after a suspected Mpox case was reported in Great Soppo, involving a 9-year-old girl; officials say measures are already in place while lab tests continue. Free Care in Centre Region: A Chinese medical team delivered free consultations and treatment to over 230 patients in Ngat-Bane (Mbalmayo area), including medicine, surgery, eye care, and rehabilitation, with medication provided for those who could not reach hospitals. Lead Paint Push for Children: On World Environment Day, IPEN called for stronger global controls on lead chromates under the Rotterdam Convention, noting Cameroon is among countries that have already notified bans—aimed at reducing lead exposure risks for children. Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities: Cameroon launched a national awareness campaign, “We Ring The Bell,” to promote inclusive education and highlight that many children with disabilities remain excluded from quality schooling. Health Leadership Update (UB): Prof. Gloria Enow Ashuntantang was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Buea, replacing the late Prof. Ako Oben, reinforcing leadership in health sciences.

Mpox Vigilance in Buea: South-West health authorities are urging calm after a suspected Mpox case was reported in Great Soppo, involving a 9-year-old girl; officials say monitoring and lab tests are underway and there’s no need for panic. Free Care in Rural Cameroon: A Chinese medical team delivered free consultations and treatment to over 230 patients in Ngat-Bane (Centre region near Yaoundé), covering multiple specialties and providing medication, with local leaders praising the outreach. Blood Donation Push: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) rolled out activities ahead of World Blood Donor Day (June 14), including fitness walks, donation drives, awareness caravans and youth engagement to tackle blood shortages. Lead Paint Safety Call: Environmental groups, including IPEN, urged stronger global controls on lead chromates in paint via the Rotterdam Convention, noting Cameroon among countries that have already moved to ban them. Health System Capacity Note: With World Cup travel expected, public health experts elsewhere warn that reduced disease-monitoring capacity could raise infectious-disease risks—an issue Cameroon should watch as cross-border movement grows.

Mpox Alert in Buea: South West health authorities are asking for calm after a suspected mpox (monkeypox) case was reported in Great Soppo, involving a 9-year-old girl; officials say monitoring is ongoing and lab tests continue, with measures already in place to prevent spread. Rural Care Boost: A Chinese medical team (25th batch) provided free diagnosis and treatment to over 230 patients in Ngat-Bane, Centre Region, covering internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, eye care and more, with medication supplied. Blood Donation Push: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service is gearing up for World Blood Donor Day (June 14) with fitness walks, donation drives, awareness caravans and youth activities, citing progress in national collections and ongoing efforts to tackle shortages. Child Health & Toxic Paint: Environmental groups, including IPEN, are urging stronger global controls on lead chromates in paint under the Rotterdam Convention, noting bans already notified by Cameroon and warning that lead paint remains a major source of child lead exposure. Water Safety Warning: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water risks, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked for water quality and public health protection.

Mpox Watch in Buea: South West health authorities are urging calm after a suspected mpox (monkeypox) case was reported in Great Soppo, Buea, involving a nine-year-old girl; officials say monitoring is ongoing and lab tests continue, with reassurance that measures are in place to prevent spread. University Leadership in Health: Professor Gloria Enow Ashuntantang has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Buea, replacing the late Prof Ako Oben—an important boost for medical research leadership in Cameroon. Child Health & Toxic Paints: IPEN is calling for tougher global controls on lead chromates used in lead-based paints, urging Cameroon and other countries to support listing under the Rotterdam Convention to better protect children from lead exposure. Blood Donation Push: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service is rolling out activities for World Blood Donor Day (June 14), aiming to improve voluntary donations and blood availability nationwide. Inclusive Education Campaign: Cameroon launched a nationwide awareness drive, “We Ring The Bell,” to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities and strengthen funding and access from May 29 to Sept 30, 2026.

Mpox Watch in Buea: South West health authorities are urging calm after a suspected mpox (monkeypox) case was reported in the Great Soppo neighbourhood of Buea, involving a nine-year-old girl. Officials say laboratory checks are ongoing and that response measures are already in place to prevent spread. University Leadership: Professor Gloria Enow Ashuntantang has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Buea, replacing the late Prof Ako Oben, bringing decades of medical research and leadership experience. Blood Donation Drive: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is stepping up activities for World Blood Donor Day on June 14, including fitness walks, donation drives, awareness caravans and youth engagement, as the country works to address blood shortages. Child Safety & Health: Cameroon’s government has sounded the alarm over rising rape, murder and abuse cases, with officials citing a worsening trend affecting children and women. Workforce Skills Programme: The AfDB-backed PEAC programme has entered implementation in Yaounde, aiming to modernise training, improve employability, and support industrial job creation.

Public Health & Safety: Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is gearing up for 2026 World Blood Donor Day with a nationwide push to boost voluntary donations, improve blood availability, and modernise the transfusion system, citing rising needs for mothers, children with severe anaemia, accident victims, surgical patients and people with chronic illnesses. Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence: Cameroon’s government has sounded the alarm over a surge in rape, murder and abuse cases, with officials reporting rising femicide figures from 2023 to 2025 and warning that early 2026 trends are not easing. Inclusive Education: A national awareness campaign, “We Ring The Bell,” was launched in Yaounde to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities and mobilise funding and commitment from decision-makers nationwide through Sept. 30, 2026. Toxic Exposure Prevention: On World Environment Day, groups urged Cameroon and other countries to support global controls on lead chromates in paint under the Rotterdam Convention, warning that lead paint remains a major source of child lead exposure. Health Governance & Security: FCT police in Cameroon began enforcing a ban on tinted glasses and covered number plates, saying such vehicles are linked to crime, while also announcing arrests of suspected kidnappers.

Mpox/Monkeypox Legal Shock (Cameroon link): U.S. prosecutors charged NIH Rocky Mountain Laboratory researchers Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe (a Cameroonian) with allegedly smuggling deactivated mpox samples into the United States and lying to customs after a stop at Detroit Metro Airport; officials say the case involved 113 vials, with some testing positive for deactivated mpox. Gender-Based Violence Alarm (Cameroon): Cameroon’s government held a high-level briefing on rising rape and murder cases, citing large numbers of femicide and child abuse over 2023–2025 and warning the trend is continuing into 2026, including a recent case involving an 11-year-old in Yaounde. Inclusive Education Push (Cameroon): Yaounde launched the “We Ring The Bell” awareness campaign to promote financing and access to inclusive education for children with disabilities, running nationwide from May 29 to Sept. 30, 2026. Blood Donation Drive (Cameroon): Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service rolled out activities for 2026 World Blood Donor Day under “One Drop of Humanity,” aiming to boost voluntary donations and address blood shortages. Humanitarian Strain in the Sahel: UN officials warned that about 24 million people across the Sahel—including northern Cameroon—need humanitarian assistance as violence, displacement, and climate shocks worsen, with health services and schools forced to close.

Gender-Based Violence Watch: Cameroon’s government says femicide and child abuse are rising fast, with women murdered increasing from 50 (2023) to 67 (2024) and 77 (2025), and early 2026 figures suggesting the trend is continuing—officials say many attacks are carried out by people close to victims, including spouses and relatives. Menstrual Health & Education: Plan International Cameroon is tackling period poverty through its Youth Engagement Platform (YEP), holding a June 2 roundtable to push safer menstrual hygiene practices and reduce school dropouts linked to lack of sanitary support. Health System Under Strain (Sahel): The UN warns about 24 million people needing humanitarian help across the Sahel, including northern Cameroon, as violence spreads and schools and health centres are forced to close. Power & Care Access: Cameroon’s electricity sector faces disruption after two major plants suspended output from the Southern Interconnected Grid, raising concerns for service reliability that can affect health facilities. Mpox Safety & Compliance (Global): Two NIH-linked researchers—one Cameroonian—were charged in the US over alleged smuggling of mpox vials after a Detroit airport stop, a reminder of the need for strict pathogen handling and documentation. Regional Health Risk (Ebola): Congo’s World Cup warmup against Chile was reportedly blocked in Spain due to Ebola-related health concerns.

Humanitarian Crisis: The UN says about 24 million people across the Sahel need urgent help as violence, displacement and climate shocks worsen conditions, including in northern Cameroon where schools and health centres are being forced to close. Mpox Safety & Accountability: Two NIH researchers—Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe (Cameroon)—were charged in the U.S. after alleged attempts to smuggle mpox-related vials through Detroit Metro Airport, with prosecutors saying a large case held 113 vials (including deactivated mpox) and that the men allegedly misled officials. Gender-Based Violence Alarm (Cameroon): Cameroon’s government reports a sharp rise in femicide, rape and child abuse, citing increases from 50 women murdered (2023) to 67 (2024) and 77 (2025), with early 2026 figures suggesting the trend continues. Power Sector Shock (Cameroon): Cameroon’s electricity supply faces strain after two plants (Kribi and Dibamba) reportedly withdrew output from the Southern Interconnected Grid following bank account freezes tied to tax disputes and wider payment delays. Menstrual Health (Cameroon): Plan International Cameroon tackles period poverty through youth and community education, linking menstrual hygiene to girls’ school attendance and safety. Sickle Cell Support (Yaoundé): The Zita Nadege Foundation launched a community campaign to raise awareness and improve healthcare access for people living with sickle cell disease.

Mpox/Border Security: Two NIH researchers—Vincent Munster (Netherlands) and Claude Kwe (Cameroon)—were charged after U.S. agents allegedly found 113 vials in a large case at Detroit Metro Airport. Prosecutors say the pair arrived from the Republic of Congo during an mpox outbreak, claimed the case held diagnostic equipment, but investigators found deactivated monkeypox virus in 17 vials, plus chickenpox virus and human DNA in others, and the men allegedly gave false statements to federal officers. Local Health Access: In Douala’s Japoma area, MTN Cameroon’s “21 Days of Y’ello Care” campaign is supporting a new biomedical laboratory at Japoma District Hospital to improve timely, affordable diagnostics. Sickle Cell Advocacy: The Zita Nadege Foundation launched a sickle cell awareness initiative in Yaoundé, aiming to boost education, healthcare access, and community support for people living with the disease. Child Protection Push: Cameroon’s government held a high-level press conference on June 1 to confront rising sexual violence and child abuse, citing hundreds of cases recorded in early 2026 and calling for stronger action and legislation. Neglected Eye Disease/School Health: Kribi Port Authority and Helen Keller International signed a three-year partnership to expand community and school health programmes, including prevention of neglected tropical diseases and avoidable blindness.

Mpox Safety & Transport: Two foreign researchers linked to the NIH—Vincent Munster and Cameroonian Claude Kwe—were charged in the US over an alleged attempt to smuggle mpox (monkeypox) vials into the country via Detroit Metro Airport, after customs found 113 vials hidden in coolers; prosecutors say some vials contained deactivated mpox while others held chickenpox virus or human DNA, raising fresh concerns about handling and biosafety compliance. Digital Health in Cameroon: MTN Cameroon launched “21 Days of Y’ello Care,” supporting a new digital biomedical laboratory at Japoma District Hospital in Douala to improve timely, reliable diagnostics as the facility upgrades from CMA to district hospital status. Child Protection Push: CENSREHURD condemned rising sexual violence against minors in Cameroon, calling for stronger laws, better implementation of child protection measures, and tougher action against impunity. Community Health Partnership: Kribi Port Authority and Helen Keller International signed a three-year deal to expand community and school health programmes, including prevention of neglected tropical diseases and efforts to reduce avoidable blindness. Menstrual Health & Schooling: eBASE Africa reported a programme that cut girls’ absenteeism by 21% in Cameroon by combining safe toilets, supplies, teacher support, clubs, and community engagement.

Hospital Digitisation & Patient Safety: Cameroon is digitizing hospitals with a 29 billion CFA franc ($51m) five-year push after a May wave of patient deaths and suspensions of about a dozen doctors, aiming for safer care through electronic records, traceable prescriptions, and faster emergency response. Maternal & Menstrual Health: A Cameroon menstrual health programme reported 21% fewer girl absences in participating schools, with gains tied to safe toilets, supplies, teacher support, clubs, and community engagement (including boys and male teachers to cut stigma). Nutrition & Local Dairy: Cameroon is pushing private investors to close a major milk powder and dairy gap—local production covers under a third of demand—by leveraging collection centers and mini-dairies to reduce imports. Cross-Border Travel Ease: Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon have finalized a mutual visa exemption agreement, promising smoother movement for business and tourism between Abidjan and Yaoundé. US Visa Processing Changes (Cameroon-linked): The US plans to cut Africa visa-processing sites from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Yaoundé listed among the remaining locations. Health Access in Conflict Areas: Reporting highlights how civil unrest in Cameroon’s Limbe area has left families with limited skilled care, prompting midwife training support focused on improving local maternal health. EV Infrastructure Investment: Spiro secured a $215m investment round to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across African cities—relevant to cleaner urban transport and energy systems.

Hospital Digital Push: Cameroon says it is investing 29 billion CFA francs to digitize hospitals after a May wave of patient deaths and the suspension of about a dozen doctors, aiming for safer, more accountable care through electronic records, traceable prescriptions and faster emergency response. Maternal & School Health: A Cameroon menstrual health programme reported in eBASE Africa says girls’ absenteeism fell by 21% after schools combined safe toilets, menstrual supplies, teacher support, clubs and community engagement, including boys and male teachers to cut stigma. Nutrition & Local Dairy: Cameroon is moving to cut a 35 billion CFA milk import bill by pushing private investors to build collection and mini-dairies, targeting a major gap between local milk production and national consumption. Health System Stress Beyond Borders: Rights groups filed a lawsuit in the U.S. over alleged inhumane conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, citing deaths, a measles outbreak and medical-care violations—an indirect reminder of how quickly health risks rise when care systems fail.

Menstrual Health in Schools: A Cameroon study on menstrual health support shows girls’ absenteeism can drop by 21% when schools combine safe toilets, menstrual supplies, teacher support, student clubs and community engagement (with boys and male teachers included in training). Adolescent Nutrition Push in Yaoundé: Cameroon is scaling up nutrition education in secondary schools through the Sun App project, with officials reviewing early results and calling for healthier school cafeterias, cashless “cash wallets” for balanced meals, and school gardens to improve food environments. Sudan Drug Crisis: War-torn Sudan is disrupting insulin supplies, with patients reporting “spoiled insulin” due to damaged storage and broken healthcare supply chains. US Detention Health Under Fire: Rights groups have filed a lawsuit alleging severe medical neglect, disease outbreaks and unsafe conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, where detainees say access to care and hygiene is inadequate. Cameroon Policy & Trust: Nkafu Policy Institute leaders highlight the need for African think tanks to build credibility through local trust and engagement, not just international recognition.

Nutrition in Schools: Cameroon is scaling up adolescent health with the “Sun App” project, reviewing early results in Yaoundé and pushing for healthier school cafeterias, cashless “cash wallets” for balanced meals, and school gardens to make nutrition practical, not just awareness. Menstrual Dignity: Yaoundé hosted the “My Free Period” festival to break taboos around menstruation, teach menstrual hygiene and anatomy, and spotlight reproductive health conditions in a bid to shift the message from “hygiene” to dignity. Community Food Support: Source de Vie (Source of Life) ran a free meal drive in Yaoundé, serving 300+ hot meals at Mfoudi market and linking hunger relief with broader help like healthcare for the sick and shelter support. Rights & Health Safety Abroad: In the US, civil rights groups filed a lawsuit over alleged “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, including claims of medical neglect, disease outbreaks, and violent treatment—raising concerns that detention health standards are being breached. Policy Trust in Africa: Nkafu Policy Institute leaders shared ideas on building locally trusted African think tanks at the On Think Tanks conference in Rabat, focusing on credibility, local ownership, and policy relevance.