At close of free healthcare campaign in Far North: Minister Manaouda expresses satisfaction over massive turnout.

He noted that on instructions of President Paul Biya, the campaign recorded a turnout that has largely exceeded initial projections. 

The minister, during a working visit, supervised the final phase of the humanitarian health initiative. His tour took him to Yagoua and Mokolo, where he assessed the implementation of the campaign, inspected health facilities and interacted with medical personnel and local authorities.

The one-week free health campaign, it should be noted, was designed to bring free medical services closer to populations, particularly vulnerable communities in a Region where access to healthcare remains a major challenge. 

Services offered included medical consultations, surgeries, cataract operations, oral healthcare, HIV screening, fistula surgery, distribution of medicines and pre-enrolment for Universal Health Coverage.

Targets exceeded

During his stop at the Yagoua Regional Hospital Annex, the minister and his entourage were presented with the campaign’s performance indicators. Out of an initial target of 500,000 people to be sensitised, the implementation rate stood at approximately 92 percent. Similarly, nearly 245,000 consultations were conducted against an initial target of 300,000 people.

Other components of the operation registered even higher performance. Pre-enrolment for Universal Health Coverage reportedly exceeded 120 percent, while general surgery, cataract surgery, oral healthcare and HIV screening recorded implementation rates that in some cases surpassed 200 percent of the initial projections.

The figures, according to health officials, demonstrate the extent to which the population embraced the initiative and the unmet demand for healthcare services in the Region.

Speaking to the press after the working session in Yagoua, Dr Manaouda said the results had left him particularly satisfied.

“I am particularly moved at this precise moment,” he said, while expressing deep and sincere gratitude to President Paul Biya for initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of populations in the Far North.

The minister also reassured patients whose treatment had not yet been completed that the end of the campaign would not mean the immediate termination of their care

“Let all those who are still on oxygen, or all those still waiting to be treated, not worry; the free care is effective and will remain so,” he assured.

He further commended the commitment of healthcare personnel at the Yagoua facility, as well as the state of the infrastructure and equipment.

“This is an upgraded technical platform, and we will continue to build the capacity of the human resources for optimal use of the infrastructure,” Dr Manaouda said.

He used the occasion to encourage residents to make greater use of health facilities whenever they fall sick, rather than remaining at home without knowing the cause of their illness.

Evaluates campaign implementation at Mokolo hospital

The Minister’s evaluation tour continued in Mokolo, headquarters of Mayo-Tsanaga Division, where attention focused on the newly designated Mokolo Central Hospital, formerly the Mokolo Regional Hospital Annex.

The health facility was one of the main centres for the campaign, particularly in the treatment of obstetric fistula. According to figures presented by hospital officials, 61 fistula cases were recorded during the intervention.

Officials noted that of the 61 cases, 57 patients had already undergone reconstructive surgery, while 11 had been discharged after recovery. Another 46 patients remained hospitalised under medical supervision, with four additional surgical operations scheduled as the campaign approached its official conclusion.

They explained that beneficiaries came not only from Mokolo and surrounding localities but also from other parts of the country, including Bertoua and Yaounde. Some patients reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries, notably Chad and Nigeria, in search of treatment.

Addressing healthcare personnel at the Mokolo Central Hospital, Dr Manaouda reiterated that patients still undergoing treatment would not be abandoned when the official ceremony brought the campaign to a close.

“The remaining cases will not be abandoned. Several other cases will continue to be treated after the official end of the campaign. Free care was prescribed by the Head of State and it will be respected to the very end. No one will be sent home for lack of means,” he stressed.

The minister used his tour to assess the capacity of health facilities to respond to the needs of the population. He pledged continued efforts to strengthen the technical platform and provide qualified human resources capable of making full use of the infrastructure.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3906 of Friday September 11, 2026