NW stakeholders celebrate HIV prevention gains at closure of projects.

The close-out ceremony of the Children Momentum and Equality Projects, implemented by the Cameroon Baptist Convention, Health Services, CBCHS, brought together health workers, community actors, government representatives, partners, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to reflect on the impact of the programmes and the progress recorded during their implementation.

The event, which took place Thursday June 25, 2026, was attended by authorities like the Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr Ambe Lionel, the Director of the CBC Health Services, Samuel Ngum, representatives of various institutions and organisations.

According to the Project Manager, Awa Fanny, both projects were designed to address gaps affecting children living with HIV, adolescents at risk, and vulnerable families through improved access to healthcare, protection of services, and community support systems.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Director of CBC Health Services, Samuel Ngum, said the closeout was not only about ending two projects but celebrating a journey of commitment, innovation, courage, and partnership that touched the lives of children, families, and communities across the Northwest Region.

“Today, we do not simply gather to mark the end of two projects; we gather to celebrate a journey of commitment, innovation, courage, and partnership—a journey that has touched the lives of children, adolescents, families, and communities across the Northwest Region,” he said.

According to Ngum, the projects were developed in response to real challenges affecting children living with HIV and adolescents at risk, with the belief that every child deserves care, protection, and hope.

Through different interventions, including peer support programmes, caregiver mentorship, child protection services, and livelihood support for vulnerable families, the Children Momentum Project contributed to improved treatment outcomes, adherence, wellbeing, and family stability among beneficiaries.

“The projects were born out of a clear conviction that every child deserves care, every adolescent deserves protection, and every vulnerable family deserves hope,” Ngum noted.

The Equality Project, on the other hand, focused on strengthening HIV prevention among adolescents and young people by improving access to HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection treatment, and HPV vaccination services.

The programme also promoted inclusion by reaching young people with disabilities and youths in Muslim communities, reinforcing the message that quality health services must be accessible to everyone, especially those often left behind.

Officials noted that the two projects operated in 17 health facilities and several schools across the seven divisions of the region, creating platforms where young people could receive health education, testing, counselling, and other essential services.

Ngum acknowledged the role of partners, communities, schools, health facilities, and government institutions in making the intervention successful.

“This achievement was made possible through strong collaboration with the Ministries of Public Health, Basic Education, Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment and the Family, the Northwest Regional Council, and many other partners,” he said.

Stakeholders at the event stressed that while the projects have ended, sustaining the gains achieved remains important. They called for continued partnerships and investment to ensure children, adolescents, and young people continue to access quality healthcare, protection, and support services.

Ngum urged stakeholders to maintain the systems and partnerships built during the project period, saying the lessons learned should continue guiding future interventions.

“The systems strengthened must not weaken. The partnerships built must continue to guide our work as we strive for a future where every child and adolescent has access to quality health services, protection, dignity, and opportunity,” he said.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3833 of Tuesday June 30, 2026