Ensuring sustainable financing: MPs strategise to push for more resources to fight malaria.

It was organised in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP, and Impact Sante Afrique, ISA. 

The session which was opened by the Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Mary Muyali Meboka, was place under the theme: “Mobilising domestic resources for sustainable financing of the fight against malaria in Cameroon”.

According to the Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, malaria remains a serious challenge in Cameroon with children under five and pregnant women most affected category.

Noting that this fatal disease is both treatable and preventable, Hon Muyali said concerted efforts from all stakeholders and partners is required to ensure no one should actually die of malaria. 

“We need to strengthen our resource base for the fight against malaria, so that we gradually strengthen ourselves as a country to fight against the disease and not depend on foreign aid much,” she stated. 

She further saluted efforts being made by government, civil society, partners as well as the parliament. 

“Parliament works in making sure that whatever action that is produced by the government or by anyone reaches the population as well as sensitises the population to adopt health practises that help them to fight against malaria,” she added.

The President of the Parliamentary Caucus for Health Financing, Hon Njume Peter Ambang, took turn to appreciate the efforts of civil societies like Impact Santé Afrique in supporting the government in the malaria fight.

He also mentioned that the timing of the workshop which holds at a strategic time when government is presenting the state budget for 2026 for adoption by parliament. 

“We are very aware of the impact of malaria on the health of populations and the National Assembly is taking the time to look at the budgets of the various sectors to see whether malaria is really a priority for Cameroon,” Hon Njume said.

Hon Njume Peter: President of Parliamentary Caucus for Health Financing

The Senior Advocacy Officer of ISA, Merime Tchakoute, reiterated the commitment of ISA to the course of malaria in Cameroon and beyond.

The Senior Advocacy Officer then revealed that the Prime Minister has given instructions to increase the Counterpart funds from 6 to 12 billion FCFA.

“Are the Prime Minister's institutions being taken into account? Are there any bottlenecks? What role can parliamentarians play in advocating for the mobilisation of resources to fill the gaps?” he questioned. 

While presenting the epidemiological situation of the country, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the NMCP, Dr Jean Fosso, said malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon, affecting millions of citizens and hindering the country's progress.

He said by the end of 2024, the malaria parasite prevalence stood at 26% compared to 24% in 2018 and 30% in 2011. The disease accounted for 26.9% of consultations with 2,964,132 number of confirmed malaria cases and 8.2% of deaths in health facilities.

Dr Fosso explained that the country has developed a National Strategic Plan for the Fight against Malaria to better target of malaria interventions, with mixed interventions distribution of MILDA during campaigns and as part of routine care, management of malaria cases in FOSA and in the community, seasonal malaria chemoprevention; perennial malaria chemoprevention, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnant women and anti-malarial vaccination.

Besides, reviewing the current malaria situation and Cameroon’s financing needs, including Global Fund co-financing commitments, members of the parliamentary caucus also analysed existing domestic resource mobilisation mechanisms as well as development of concrete policy and fiscal recommendations to strengthen sustainable financing.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3639 of Friday November 28, 2025