Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health at the WHO Executive Council: A Strong Voice for Global Health Equity
- Nkengacha Marcellous Agendia
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Cameroon’s participation in the 156th WHO Executive Council session marked a historic moment in the country’s health diplomacy. Since officially joining the WHO Executive Council in May 2023, Cameroon has risen to become an influential voice in global health decision-making. The country’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, was not only present at the session but also had the honor of presiding over the Council’s proceedings for the first time in Cameroon’s history.
This session was an opportunity for Cameroon to advocate for policies that align with national health priorities while contributing to global efforts to strengthen healthcare systems. With Africa still facing major health challenges, Cameroon played a leadership role in discussions around pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Key Highlights of Cameroon’s Participation at the WHO Executive Council
1. Strengthening Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness
One of the major topics Cameroon addressed at the WHO Executive Council was health security and pandemic preparedness, particularly in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in health systems across the world, and Cameroon emphasized the need to:
Establish early warning systems for health emergencies.
Strengthen national and regional health security frameworks to better respond to outbreaks.
Improve supply chain resilience to ensure timely access to medical supplies.
Invest in public health research to detect and mitigate future pandemics.
Dr. Malachie highlighted Cameroon’s commitment to strengthening the International Health Regulations (IHR) and encouraged WHO to support African countries in building stronger surveillance and response mechanisms.
2. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a Top Priority
Cameroon reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that all citizens have access to essential healthcare services without financial hardship. The Minister outlined the country’s ongoing efforts, including:
Expanding social health insurance coverage.
Increasing investment in primary healthcare infrastructure across rural and urban areas.
Strengthening community health programs to bring healthcare services closer to the people.
Promoting public-private partnerships to improve healthcare financing.
Dr. Malachie emphasized that achieving UHC requires global cooperation, urging the WHO to scale up financial and technical support for developing countries pursuing universal healthcare initiatives.
3. Combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): A Growing Health Threat
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, have become a major public health burden in Cameroon and across Africa. The Minister raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of NCDs and called for urgent action to address risk factors, including:
Unhealthy diets and poor nutrition.
Lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyles.
Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
Limited access to screening and early detection services.
Dr. Malachie presented Cameroon’s NCD management strategy, which includes:
✅ Expanding screening programs for early detection and treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.
✅ Integrating NCD care into primary healthcare to improve accessibility.
✅ Increasing public awareness campaigns on healthy lifestyles.
✅ Strengthening policies to regulate tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food products.
✅ Training more healthcare professionals specializing in NCD prevention and treatment.
The WHO session recognized Cameroon’s efforts and encouraged greater international collaboration in fighting NCDs.
4. Advancing Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Cameroon is embracing digital transformation in healthcare, and Dr. Malachie highlighted how technology can revolutionize health systems, particularly in Africa. The Minister championed:
Electronic health records (EHRs) for better patient data management.
Telemedicine services to bridge the healthcare gap in rural areas.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy for conditions like cancer and fractures.
Mobile health applications to improve disease surveillance and patient engagement.
Cameroon’s call for increased investment in digital health infrastructure was well received, with WHO reaffirming its commitment to supporting AI-driven innovations in healthcare.
5. Local Vaccine Production: A Critical Step for Africa’s Health Independence
Dr. Malachie strongly advocated for strengthening local vaccine production in Africa to reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers. He urged WHO and international partners to:
Provide financial and technical support to African pharmaceutical companies.
Facilitate technology transfer for vaccine manufacturing.
Encourage regional collaboration to develop a robust vaccine supply chain.
With Cameroon’s growing investment in biomedical research and pharmaceutical production, the country is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s push for vaccine sovereignty.
Key Milestones and Achievements for Cameroon
Cameroon’s participation at the WHO Executive Council led to several important milestones and achievements:
✅ Cameroon’s leadership was recognized globally as the country chaired the WHO Executive Council session.
✅ The WHO officially adopted Cameroon’s proposal on enhancing medical imaging technology, integrating AI for better diagnostics.
✅ Cameroon secured commitments for funding to strengthen universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness efforts.
✅ The country gained international support for its efforts to combat non-communicable diseases.
✅ New partnerships were established with global health organizations to improve vaccine production and digital healthcare solutions.
How Cameroon’s Participation Benefits Its Health System
Cameroon’s active role at the WHO Executive Council will directly impact its national healthcare system by:
✔ Attracting more international funding and technical support for healthcare projects.
✔ Accelerating health policy reforms to align with global best practices.
✔ Enhancing the country’s capacity to manage health crises through stronger surveillance and preparedness strategies.
✔ Strengthening collaboration with WHO and global health partners to improve healthcare delivery.
Conclusion: A Bold Step Towards a Stronger Healthcare System
Cameroon’s participation at the WHO Executive Council is a testament to the country’s growing influence in global health policy. By advocating for universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, non-communicable disease management, and digital health transformation, Cameroon is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s health sector.
Going forward, continued engagement in international health diplomacy will be essential for Cameroon to secure more resources, expertise, and partnerships to build a resilient and inclusive healthcare system for all.
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