Fight against leprosy, other NTDs: Gov’t hails efforts, calls for more action.

The remarks were made during a ceremony in Yaounde to jointly commemorate 2024 World Leprosy Day and World NTDs Day. 

The event was organised by the Ministry of Public Health, with the support of partners like the World Health Organisation, WHO, and the Helen Keller International.

January 28 is observed annually as World Leprosy Day and World NTDs Day, with activities this year placed under the theme: “Ending stigma and embracing dignity”, and “Unite, act, eliminate”, respectively.

Speaking during the event, the Inspector General of Medical and Paramedical Services at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Yves Mathieu Zoa Nanga, said a lot of efforts have been made by Cameroon to curb the leprosy scourge in the country.

According to the public health official, these efforts have seen the number of new leprosy cases decreased from 25,031 in 1985 to only 183 cases at the end of 2023. He also explained that the joint commemoration comes at a time when government is implementing the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030, which focuses on combating stigma and ensuring respect for the human rights of leprosy victims.  

On his part, the Head of NTDs Control at WHO, Dr Etienne Nnomzoo, said there has been a gradual decline in the number of new cases of leprosy in over 120 countries worldwide. 

Nonetheless, he noted that thanks to medical advancement, leprosy is preventable and treatable, with treatment being free and available in health facilities in Cameroon. 

Call for appropriation of NTDs fight

While calling for a synergy of actions to eliminate NTDs, the National Coordinator for the fight against Malaria and NTDs at MINSANTE, Dr Nko’o Ayissi Georges, said WHO and the international community have insisted on countries to appropriate the fight against NTDs and make efforts in raising funds domestically. 

“All these diseases need to be taken care of in a global approach called One Health,” Dr Nko’o Ayissi said.                            

He added that: “The third pillar that was fixed by WHO and the international community is that countries are called upon to take ownership of the fight against NTDs and to mobilise resources towards elimination. The domestic mobilisation of resources will be challenging to reach elimination of the diseases, so it is a call that we are making, which was already launched on the sustainability and appropriation of NTDs fight”.

Helen Keller’s support highlighted

According to the Deputy Country Director of Helen Keller International Cameroon, Hendji Yoya Michel, the American humanitarian organisation has remained a faithful and committed partner of Cameroon government in fighting NTDs and support nutrition programmes. 

“We offer substantial material, human and financial support to government to help eliminate, control and eradicate various Neglected Tropical Diseases,” the Deputy Country Director stated.

“Thanks to support from Helen Keller International through the USAID-funded Act to End NTDs West, managed by FH1360, Cameroon is about to eliminate two diseases – trachoma and lymphatic filariasis,” he added.

“With regards to onchocerciasis, one of the NTDs present in Cameroon, the studies show that its prevalence is reducing in many parts of Cameroon. Our support has also been for the management and surgical operations of other NTDs in Northern Cameroon,” Hendji Yoya added. 

The joint commemoration was marked by the donation to leprosy victims by members of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC, as an expression of love, concern and solidarity with the patients. 

The humanitarian association, founded by the First Lady, Chantal Biya, handed foodstuff, medicines, toiletries and other basic necessities to the beneficiaries.