Coronavirus pandemic weighs heavy on Cameroon

By ANA Reporter Last updated Apr 8, 2021

Cumulative Covid-19 cases in Cameroon rose with more than 23,000 new cases.

A healthcare worker in a laboratory. Cameroon Cameroon has recorded 57,337 cases, 35,261 recoveries and 851 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the country in March 2020.

The central African country is one of the most highly affected by Covid-19 on the continent

CAPE TOWN, April 8 (ANA) – Cameroon remains among the most-affected African countries with the highest number of Covid-19 cases with more than 57,000 infections, according to a report released on Thursday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

It said the cumulative Covid-19 cases in Cameroon rose by more than 23,000 new cases. In January, the country recorded 30,700 cases including 474 deaths, while in March the country recorded 56,596 cases including 779 deaths.

The latest figures show that the Central African nation has recorded 57,337 cases, 35,261 recoveries and 851 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the country in March last year.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) donated 25 ambulances and medical equipment to the Cameroon’s ministry of public health, intended to strengthen the health system and Covid-19 response.

Between February 22 and 26, the ministry of public health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) organised an internal review of the Covid-19 response with partners. The main objective was to examine the national functional capacity of the Covid-19 response, OCHA said.

On March 5, in his special communication following the significant increase of Covid-19 cases, Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Ngute reiterated the rigorous observance of preventive measures. He also announced the arrival of more than a million vaccines to strengthen the Covid-19 prevention system in Cameroon.

The Covid-19 epidemiological trend is worsening, OCHA said. The country recorded more than 23,000 new positive cases in March. As of 22 March, the UN and NGOs in Cameroon reported 323 cumulative cases and four deaths with 27 active cases among their staff.

The Centre and Littoral regions remain the most affected and the situation in schools and universities remains worrying, 186 over 190 health districts are affected by the pandemic.

The support provided by UNDP in the acquisition of 25 ambulances and medical equipment is part of the WHO “no regret” approach, which aims to strengthen the health system in a sustainable and comprehensive manner.

This delivery is part of an agreement of US$27.44 million signed between the government of Cameroon and the Islamic Development Bank, to provide immediate assistance to Covid-19 affected communities through the provision of vital medical and non-medical equipment including scanners, respiratory equipment, ambulances, mobile radios for communication.

In March, one of the largest designated hospitals for Covid-19 treatment in Cameroon, the Yaounde Central Hospital received a batch of medical equipment donated by China to fight against the virus.

Head of the cooperation division of the ministry of public health, Hassan Ben Bachir, said the donation came at the right time.

“We are all together in the fight against Covid-19, a difficult fight for the health personnel. We can only thank the Chinese government,” he said at the time of receiving the donation.

The equipment included ventilators, oxygenerators, electrocardiographs, among others.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay