CEMAC: Cameroon to benefit from World Bank support to health sector.

According to the world Bank, the offer is a transformative regional investment initiative.

The Bank noted in a recent statement that, its goal is to expand a global initiative already operating elsewhere in dealing with health emergencies.

Other countries to benefit in CEMAC are; the Central African Republic, Chad, and the Republic of Congo. The World Bank noted that the countries are benefitting from the third phase of the global project. 

“The project will deliver targeted support” to the chosen countries the statement noted. 

The release also highlighted the potential of the project to unlock employment opportunities through investments that strengthen health security and promote inclusive job creation.

The Bank noted that the Programme also aims to increase regional collaboration and strengthen health system capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies, including epidemics, climate-related health shocks, and zoonotic diseases. 

According to the Bank, it builds on experience in dealing with Ebola and COVID-19, and recommendations of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. 

About Cameroon, the World Bank noted that the programme will prevent disruptions in essential health services for women, children and adolescents and strengthen primary health care resilience to shocks.

“The region faces a convergence of challenges, including fragility, displacement, porous borders, and changing weather patterns, that heighten the risk of health emergencies and strain already fragile health systems,” Trina Haque, World Bank Regional Director for Human Development for Western and Central Africa stated.

“HeSP responds to these urgent needs by investing in surveillance, laboratory networks, and frontline health workers, while promoting inclusive and resilient service delivery. It will help countries move from reactive crisis response to proactive preparedness,” Haque further clarified.

Additionally, she said the Programme will support the development of national and regional contingency plans, strengthen laboratory and surveillance systems, and expand training for health professionals, including women in epidemiology and veterinary sciences.

It will also finance green and resilient health infrastructure, and promote One Health approaches that integrate human, animal, and environmental health.

According to Marina Wes, Acting World Bank Regional Integration Director for Western and Central Africa, “by fostering cross-border collaboration and harmonizing health systems, the program will generate positive spillovers in trade, mobility, and social cohesion. It will create thousands of jobs in health, logistics, and infrastructure, particularly for youth and women in underserved areas”.

Building on the vision, officials said the programme will strengthen national and regional capacities by investing in a diverse health workforce, expanding laboratory and surveillance systems, and upgrading critical infrastructure. 

Other aspects of emphasis, World Bank officials noted, are; gender inclusion and local engagement, institutional resilience and protecting existing jobs across the region.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3622 of Tuesday November 11, 2025