Health minister crusades more resources to tackle malaria.

Also present were over 50 parliamentarians engaged in the fight malaria alongside several stakeholders concerned. 

According to the minister, as part of the implementation of the latest Strategic Plan for the year 2021-2023, Cameroon mobilised 132 billion FCFA out of the 232 billion FCFA which was needed to reduce the burden involved in the fight against malaria.

He however, regretted that they are facing a shortfall of close to 100 billion FCFA as such he pleaded on government and partners to increase the resources so together they can better tackle malaria in the country.

Dr Manaouda told the elected officials that despite the efforts already implemented by government, the population's coverage in prevention and care interventions is not yet optimal. This, he said was due to insufficient funding, among other factors.

Government, the minister said is determined to eradicate malaria by 2030 as agreed in the Yaounde Declaration of April 2024, signed by ministers of the concerned countries.

Reacting to the minister’s speech, Honourable Njume Peter, insisted on the need for government to increase allocated to the Ministry of Public Health. 

He came back to the 2001 Abuja Declaration, in which African governments committed to allocate 15% of their budget to health expenditures but unfortunately this is not the case in Cameroon as just 4% is allocated for the course. 

Honourable Njume Peter, while stating her point, encouraged the Minister of Public Health to allocate more resources from the current budget to fight malaria.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No: 3147 of Sunday June 23, 2024