Health ministry calls for bold actions, investments to tackle HIV/AIDS.

This was during a meeting second statutory meeting of the National AIDS Control Committee, NACC. Ndjomo chaired the meeting on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie.

She encouraged all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to achieve national and international HIV control objectives.  

“Our sustainability strategy must be based on bold investments under government leadership, with contributions from the private sector, civil society, and communities for a collective commitment to sustainable impact,” Ndjomo declared.

She reaffirmed government’s determination to strengthen its response to HIV and consolidate progress made so far.

The NACC gathering also saw the evaluation and updating of actors on the institution’s response priorities and progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

Officials presented data which showed significant progress across key indicators of the national HIV response. 

The country according to the data presented, has recorded a 12.4% general screening rate through the three-test algorithm.

This, it was stated, reflects a gradual intensification of diagnosis efforts nationwide. In addition, 89.1% of people diagnosed with HIV, the data showed, were immediately initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy, ART said to be a strong sign of improvement in the variety of care.

The Committee also highlighted encouraging results in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission, PMTCT programme. 

According to experts, screening among pregnant women reached 94.4%. it was revealed that 73.3% of those who tested positive were placed on treatment, helping to reduce the risk of babies being born with HIV.

Members further commended the expansion of differentiated services and the strengthening of community-based interventions.

The services, members of the Committee noted, continue to improve access and bring health services closer to populations.

Advanced HIV disease care integrated

One of the major innovations presented at the meeting was the effective integration of advanced HIV disease management. 

The advancement, the Committee said, is attributed to the systematic reintroduction of CD4 testing, which is now fully operational in services. 

The approach, medics told Committee members allows health workers to rapidly identify patients with advanced disease and adjust treatment accordingly. They said it is an intervention that is expected to reduce HIV-related mortality.

Youth mobilization, community engagement

The Committee also reported strong achievements in youth engagement. It reported that during the first half of 2025, more than 67,000 young people were reached through awareness campaigns.

It disclosed that it was supported by 150 community-based organisations, which received material donations to boost their actions.

Discussions also emphasised on the need to strengthen voluntary testing, fight persistent stigma, and promote the concept of treatment as prevention, in alignment with global guidelines.

New 2020-2030 strategic orientation 

Officials equally used the gathering to unveil the main priorities of the America First 2026-2030 strategy, which they say will guide technical and financial partners supporting Cameroon. 

The strategy, they explained, will help reduce parallel structures, lower technical assistance costs, prioritise frontline actors particularly field teams and health personnel as well as strengthen national systems for sustainability.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3653 of Friday December 12, 2025