Biya knights Clinton Health Access Initiative Cameroon boss, Dr Yauba Saidu.

The Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, conferred the decoration on Dr Yauba, on behalf of the Head of State, during a recent ceremony. Dr Yauba was raised to the rank of Knight of the Cameroon Order of Valour.

The acknowledgement came in recognition of the role Dr Yauba led the Clinton Health Access Initiative to play in Cameroon’s crusade against COVID-19 and other public health challenges.

While decorating the medic, Minister Manaouda described the Clinton Health Access Initiative as an outstanding organisation that has helped Cameroon in several ways.

Dr Manaouda particularly singled the organisation’s role in helping government decentralise COVID-19 tests and the introduction of quality low cost rapid diagnostics COVID-19 tests, boosting vaccination against the pandemic and enhancing access to medical oxygen.

The awardee, Dr Yauba, thanked the Head of State for the recognition. He said the decoration is a show of President Biya’s confidence in the work he and the Clinton Health Access Initiative are doing in Cameroon. 

Dr Yauba also said the recognition is a call for him to do more to improve access to healthcare for Cameroonians. He thanked the Minister of Public Health for the support his organisation has so far received while pursuing its mission in Cameroon.

The Cameroon Clinton Health Access Initiative boss also saluted the contributions of partners viz; the World Health Organisation, WHO, Centre for Disease Control, CDC; United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF; United Nations Development Program, UNDP; United States Agency for International Development and USAID for  constant support.

In terms of the funding of his organisation’s work in Cameroon, Dr Yauba thanked the UNITAID, American Cancer Society, UBS Foundation, the University of Notre Dame and the Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

About Clinton Health Access Initiative

Former United States President, Bill Clinton, founded the Clinton Health Access lnitiative in 2002 after leaving office. 

In 2007, the organisation started work in Cameroon with interest in helping government improve access to anti-retroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS patients.

It has donated anti-retrovirals to the government of Cameroon and helped in strengthening the delivery of quality healthcare in tackling HIV/AIDS.

Today, the organisation is working to improve access to anti-cancer medications, care and treatment services for Non Communicable Diseases, NCDs, injuries and improve access to lifesaving vaccines alongside the provision of basic healthcare interventions especially in communities.