Combating HIV, TB, & malaria: PM pledges to fulfil counterpart fund obligations ahead of 2027 financing.

The delegation, under the banner of Parliamentary Caucus for Health Financing in Cameroon, was led by Hon Njume Peter Ambang. The lawmakers included Hons Ndip Bienvenu, Dr Marie Louise Ngoko, Koupit Adamou, Lawson Tabot and Fonge Julius. 

The Star Building meeting aimed at strengthening the advocacy for the mobilization of counterpart funds in Cameroon. It emerged from the meeting that the Prime Minister has given his approval to the advocacy and pledged to ensure that the government fulfills its obligations to pay the counterpart funds for 2027.

The Global Fund financing requires a total amount of 14.7 billion FCFA in counterpart funds for 2027. The parliamentary caucus is the national chapter of the Coalition of Parliamentarians for the Elimination of Malaria in Africa, COPEMA.

“If we fail to do so, we risk suspension”

Earlier during the meeting, Hon Njume explained to the PM that as the people’s representative, they are united by the lone concern of protecting Cameroon’s health and safeguarding its partnerships.

He noted that in line with a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed with the United States, Cameroon receives grants from the Global Fund to fight HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The grants, he detailed, require government’s matching contribution.

“If we pay our matching contribution, every one FCFA unlocks 4 to 5 FCFA from the Global Fund. If we fail to do so, we risk the suspension of medicines, laboratories, and clinics nationwide,” he explained. 

The lawmaker reminded the PM that failure to honour the commitment not only undermines Cameroon’s credibility but could mean tragedies for families and higher emergency expenditures for the government. 

“The MoU with the United States refers to co-financing, and any failure to comply poses a risk to the entire bilateral cooperation,” the MP said.

He equally elucidated that the cumulative amount of counterpart funds owed by the government under the two agreements stands at 14,701,943,610 FCFA, to cover the needs of the National Strategic Plan to Combat Malaria.

“Behind this figure lies the future of our children and our pregnant women. This total matching contribution expected for 2027 is not merely a budgetary variable: it is strict, non-negotiable, and constitutes the absolute condition for honoring our commitments and saving lives,” Hon Njume added. 

He emphasised that need to keep the country’s clinics and other medical facilities open by paying the counterpart fund the deadline set by the agreement, which is non-negotiable. 

“If we fail to meet our matching obligation, we send a signal of risk to all of our partners, not just the United States. Credibility is a currency in its own right in health financing,” he reiterated.

Imminent launch of Multisectoral Framework for Malaria Control

Hon Njume also raised the issue of the official launch of the 2026–2030 National Multisectoral Framework for Malaria Control, in pursuant to Decree No.134 of December 12, 2024, which established the Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for coordinating and monitoring the multi-sectoral framework for implementing Cameroon’s commitments to the fight against malaria.

He expressed the wish to have the PM preside over the launching ceremony billled for September 2026. This, he said, will signal a strong coordination at the highest level guaranteeing lasting impact and national accountability. 

“Officially launching this multisectoral approach under your chairmanship will provide the necessary authority to unlock intersectoral synergies, validate sectoral action plans, and reassure our international and bilateral partners regarding Cameroon’s institutional readiness,” he pleaded.

He mentioned that the ceremony will formally engage the relevant ministries including Tourism, Social Affairs, Communication, and the Promotion of Women and the Family, among others, as well as demonstrate Cameroon’s unwavering political commitment to fulfilling the landmark promises of the Yaoundé Declaration on Malaria by health ministers of the 11 high-burden African countries on March 6, 2024. 

He equally brief the PM that strategic mobilisation of various key sectors have already yielded significant and promising results in the fight against malaria. 

Hon Njume cited amongst others, the institution of a flagship educational initiative “My Malaria-Free School”, social affairs ministry institutionalizing the fight against malaria targeting socially vulnerable populations. He also mentioned the successful development of 17 malaria-dedicated ministerial action plans, and the Ministry of Tourism effort to make all hotels in Cameroon malaria-free zones.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3869 of Wednesday August 05, 2026