Far North Region: US launches project to fight malaria.

It was commissioned by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, in the presence of US Global Malaria Coordinator, Dr David Walton. 

The initiative is being implemented by the Cameroon Association for Social Marketing, better known by its French abbreviation as ACMS, with funds from the US President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI, through the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.

While launching the project, the health minister appreciated the US government for their partnership and support to strengthen the health system of Cameroon, especially in the fight against malaria.

He lauded the efforts of the different project stakeholders, adding that it is being launched on the heels of Cameroon hosting of the Malaria Ministerial Conference of countries most affected by malaria, organised by the World Health Organisation, WHO. 

He said during the international conference, Cameroon like other countries, took the commitment to translate political will to take concrete actions and ensuring the reduction of malaria morbidity by 90% in 2030.

Regarding the epidemiological situation of Cameroon, Dr Manaouda said malaria accounts for about 1,800 deaths annually, with children less than 5 years most affected. 

“Since 2019, we had a slight increase in 2021 but dropped from then to 2023 by about 40% rate in mortality of Malaria cases nationally. This, however, hides some disparities because there are some Regions that continue to be highly impacted by malaria, such as the Far North and Adamawa Regions,” the minister declared. 

He added that: “The arrival of SEMBE I in the Far North Region will be advantageous in strengthening the capacities of the different actors to better perform their role in the fight against malaria”. 

The minister said the project will help identify and put in place new local initiatives for the fight against the disease, which compliments other measures put in place by government, such as the new malaria vaccines and distribution of bed nets. 

“We are hopeful that the impact of malaria in the Far North Region will drastically drop and eventually the rest of the national territory,” he reiterated. 

Global Health Coordinator salutes gov’t efforts

Addressing attendees during the ceremony, Dr Walton lauded the Cameroon government for the different measures put in place to tackle malaria. 

The US health official cited the recent inclusion of the malaria vaccine in Cameroon’s routine vaccine immunisation programme, distribution of bed nets and free treatment of malaria for children under five years and pregnant women. 

Congratulating the Cameroonian association, ACMS, for winning the grant project worth 18 billion FCFA, Dr Walton said the US, through the project, hopes to strengthen the health system and amplify local solutions to roll back malaria.

He indicated that the SEMBE I project will collaborate with the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP of Cameroon in implementing life-saving interventions in the target Region. 

He went on to commend local stakeholders and communities for the efforts in eradicating malaria and highlighted the strategic role of community health workers for the successful implementation of the project.

The Country Representative of USAID Cameroon, Philippe Accilien and NMCP Permanent Secretary, Dr Joel Ateba, equally took part in the project launch.

Presentation of project

According to ACMS Board Chair, Dr Francoise Nissack, the name of the project, SEMBE I implies “strength” in the Fulfulde dialect, spoken by people in the Far North Region.

She further mentioned that with the support of the American government, the SEMBE I project will empower local communities to fight malaria and other infectious diseases.

SEMBE I project, Dr Nissack reiterated, will recognise the strength and resilience of the community in the fight against malaria, through meaningful engagement as well as strengthen the role of local civil society organisations in the prevention and control of malaria. 

It was disclosed that SEMBE I project will be implemented in 445 health facilities in the 32 health districts of the Far North Region.

About ACMS

The winner of the US grant, ACMS, is a self-sufficient NGO and a major actor that responds effectively to development challenges in synergy with other stakeholders, for the well-being of communities. 

Specialised in promoting the health of vulnerable populations, ACMS works in a range of areas, including HIV, sexual and reproductive health, malaria and global health.