WHO urges CMR to pay attention to epidemics

The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cameroon, Dr. Charlotte Faty Ndiaye has pointed out many deficiencies in the monitoring of epidemics in Cameroon. He said this during the launch of the first forum on health in Cameroon, on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

According Dr. Charlotte, Cameroon pays insufficient attention to many epidemics that threaten its people. While health authorities appear to be mobilizing to prevent the arrival of the hemorrhagic fever Ebola in the country, other epidemics like cholera, polio, malaria are overlooked by public authorities.

"Cameroon remained very long muffler against polio. Even though the virus has been in existence since 2011, it was only in 2013 that new cases were detected. This means that there are problems and there are deficiencies as compared to our epidemiological observation", said the UN diplomat who also disclosed that the year 2013 has been marked by the resurgence of malaria in Cameroon.

According the diplomat, the Government, in order to be effect, should act on the causes of the epidemics that threaten the country. "We know that the reasons for cholera, is poverty, non-potable water, bad sewage systems, sanitary infrastructure and improper planning", noted Dr. Charlotte Ndiaye

She again advocated the mobilization of all sectors involved in the prevention of these diseases saying, "We can support and create awareness. However, cholera can be prevented if there are good water, appropriate and a clean environment.

Dr. Charlotte disclosed that the United Nations in charge of health is also committed to support through a set of initiatives. She therefore stated the efforts of Cameroon in their surveillance of the epidemic must be done through training and capacity-building.

This, according to her can be implemented with the aid of the telephone fleet system set up by the UN which allows a variety of health up to the central level that enables data and information exchange. The efforts of Cameroon in epidemiological surveillance