Health minister, Global Fund delegation brainstorm on curbing major diseases.

This was during an audience the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, granted the Global Fund delegation, led by the Regional Manager for Central and West Africa, Ibrahim Faria.

The high-level meeting took place October 15. Discussions cantered on enhancing Cameroon’s healthcare system and improving the management of essential medicines and medical supplies.

Speaking during the meeting, Ibrahim Faria emphasised on Global Fund's commitment to helping Cameroon tackle the challenges posed by these diseases, which remain a serious public health threat in the country. 

The official, during the meeting, highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between Cameroon and the Global Fund to achieve long-term improvements in the health sector as the fund continues to focus on eradicating major epidemics.

According to the Minister of Public Health, Cameroon has been grappling with the combined burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which account for a significant portion of the country’s disease burden. 

Over the years, the ministry, he said, has introduced several measures aimed at curbing the spread of these diseases. 

However, many challenges remain, including issues related to medicine distribution and security, healthcare access, and the management of medical supplies.

The minister said as part of efforts to address these concerns, the ministry has already taken steps to enhance security at the National Supply Centre for Essential Medicines and Medical Consumables, known by its French acronym, CENAME. 

The centre, the ministry noted, plays a critical role in the distribution of medicines, but it has equally faced a series of challenges, among them theft and mismanagement of stock. 

In response to the challenges, he said government has implemented a series of reforms to safeguard the supply chain.

Among the improvements, security measures have been strengthened at CENAME, including the installation of surveillance cameras, an increase in the number of security personnel, and a complete overhaul of the warehouse team.

According to the minister, staff rotation plans have been updated to ensure more effective oversight and accountability. 

These actions, he added, reflects government's determination to tackle inefficiencies and safeguard the distribution of essential medical supplies.

The member of government, during the meeting, requested for assistance from the Global Fund to enhance CENAME’s logistics and warehouse management systems. 

Dr Manaouda, in his remarks, requested for funding for the purchase of refrigerated cold chain trucks, which, he said, are critical for the transportation and long-term preservation of temperature-sensitive medicines, including vaccines and other medical supplies. 

He said with this, government hopes to ensure that life-saving drugs are available in all regions of the country, even in the most remote areas.

According to the minister, the country’s efforts to improve the healthcare system are not limited to tackling theft and improving security at CENAME. 

The government is also in the process of reforming the national pharmaceutical supply chain, SYNAME, to create a more robust and efficient system. 

The reform, Minister Manaouda said, is expected to increase regional representation and ensure that medical supplies are more effectively distributed across the country, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3261 of Wednesday October 16, 2024