Visionary Reports

This was during an official launch in Nkongsamba on September 10 by the Minister of public health

The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie has announced the expansion of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program for the Littoral region. This event took place at the Nkongsamba Annex Regional Hospital, followed by a press conference in Douala on September 10. 2025The UHC program in Cameroon aims to ensure that all individuals have access to essential health services without facing financial hardship. Key initiatives include the Health Voucher program, which facilitates access to maternal and neonatal care, particularly for vulnerable populations, alongside community health programs that promote health awareness. For a modest contribution of CFA 6,000, women receive comprehensive maternal care, including prenatal consultations, analyses, ultrasounds, childbirth (including cesarean sections if necessary), and postnatal follow-up during the first six weeks after birth.Dr. Manaouda Malachie emphasized that the government is enhancing healthcare by constructing and rehabilitating health facilities and providing modern equipment in every health centers. He urged local elected officials and healthcare staff to collaborate to ensure quality care, as the government guarantees the sustainability of this framework. He disclosed that further actions are underway to expand and consolidate applications, particularly by removing legal and financial barriers in collaboration with all stakeholders. “This reform teaches us that if the population, as the primary beneficiaries, remains mobilized for its success, we can achieve our goals. Therefore, it is up to each of us to continue promoting adherence to universal health coverage and to encourage all eligible individuals to benefit from it,” he stated.

Presenting statistics concerning UHC, Dr. Manaouda Malachie revealed that nearly 4,983,469 Cameroonians have already registered, with 4,650,482 effectively enrolled on the platform, representing 96% of the target set for the end of December 2022. This includes 79% of children under five and 100% of pregnant women in covered areas. Additionally, 92% of people living with HIV and 100% of tuberculosis patients are receiving preventive care. Significant results include over 3.4 million children under five receiving vitamin A supplementation and 975,211 newborns breastfed within the first hour of birth. Furthermore, 1,750,000 pregnant women received iron supplementation, and 684,002 received intermittent preventive treatment against malaria. Additionally, 2,750,364 children have been vaccinated with BCG, and 3,650,542 received vaccinations against measles, mumps, and rubella. In terms of curative care, more than 1,855,094 free consultations for children have been recorded, and over 1 million cases of uncomplicated malaria in children under five have been treated. For parents and pregnant women, the Health Check program has provided complete prenatal consultations up to childbirth for a symbolic fee of 6,000 CFA francs, benefiting 1,130,551 women. To date, 309,500 deliveries have taken place, including 12,754 cesarean sections, with patients only paying the same fee of 6,000 CFA francs. Regarding chronic diseases, 1,420 patients with kidney insufficiency benefit from two dialysis sessions per week for an annual entry fee of 15,000 CFA francs, while 457,454 people receive free treatment in the village. Finally, 72,714 patients with HIV are currently receiving free treatment, all thanks to UHC.With these statistics, the minister noted that UHC allows each patient to save an average of 90% on costs,84% for childbirth, 95% for cesarean sections, and 94% for dialysis,significantly reducing expenses for families and improving their quality of life.For Dr. Manaouda Malachie, the extension of the Health Voucher represents a tremendous opportunity to increase births in health centers and ensure rigorous prenatal and postnatal follow-up. “Every birth deserves to be accompanied in safety and dignity, with the presence of competent professionals,” he insisted. With this extension, the national coverage of the Health Voucher is now complete, marking historic progress on the path to Universal Health Coverage. The minister urged the entire population to embrace this vital system, asserting that saving the lives of mothers and their children is a collective responsibility.

By Gina Esong