Health minister decries HIV prevalence rate in Cameroon

The Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda, has bemoaned the continuous dominant rate of HIV in Cameroon.

According to Mama Fouda, only 15 percent of the total population in Cameroon has access to antiretroviral drugs and other HIV treatment alternatives.

The Minister made the observation in Yaoundé recently, while launching commemorative activities of the 27th edition of the World AIDS Day.

The activities which were launched at the Ntem Valley Division of the South Region, a region with the highest HIV prevalence rate in Cameroon.

The Minister said this year’s edition of World AIDS Day has as objective, an AIDS free generation.

Speaking to the press, Minister Mama Fouda said health officials are striving to fill the gap between individuals having access to prevention, treatment, healthcare and support services, and those who do not yet have access to these services.

“The gap should be filled as regard access to drugs for HIV patients. All children living with the virus should have free access to treatment. In addition, the decentralisation policy will be strengthened through transferring powers and improving the quality of services,” he stated.

Mama Fouda, however, expressed hope for an AIDS free Cameroon due to the progress in the areas of prevention and treatment. “Prevalence has dropped from 5.5 percent in 2004 to 4.3 percent in 2011. The number of women on antiretroviral drugs to prevent the transmission of the virus to their children has moved from 12.9 percent in 2009 to 32.7 percent in 2013.

Moreover, more drugs are available in Regional Pharmacies, health centres and other health facilities providing services for the management of the virus,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Marie Therese Abena Ondua, said it is essential to protect the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV, prevent infection in women and girls of child bearing age, while educating girls living with HIV to avoid unwanted pregnancies for the AIDS free generation to be achieved.

Statistics from the conference indicated that most of those infected with the Virus are individuals between ages of 32 to 35. This is the productive age and active population in the country. Officials at the conference deliberated on the different measures that can be used to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination against HIV patients.