Health Risk as Major Concern in Garoua

With floods under control, fears of health hazards persist in Garoua and its environs. The normal life that is being witnessed by inhabitants of the North Region at moment is precarious given the geographical location and socio-cultural realities of the region. With floods still occupying most areas surroundings Garoua and some localities cut-off from the rest of the capital, reconstruction may not only concern housing, roads, but also prevention of diseases.

Cholera created much desolation during the last two years in the northern parts of Cameroon and the current floods could easily leave behind another such situation. The floods could also provide breathing grounds for mosquitoes with malaria as an attendant consequence.

Talking to Cameroon Tribune on Saturday September 15, 2012, the SDO for Benoué, Zang III said they have been working with humanitarian bodies like the Red Cross, the UN High Commission for Refugees, Plan Cameroon, the World Health Organisation and other structures to put in place measures to check any outbreak of diseases. At the Health delegation in Garoua, an evaluation has been made of some of the urgent needs in case of any health problems while the administrative and health authorities remain in maximum alert. Hygienic conditions like toilets have not often been the best in the northern region of Cameroon as well as potable water which has mostly remained a problem during prolonged dry season periods.

Consequently, all the humanitarian assistance being presented to the local officials include medication or financial provision for the purchase of health kits in case of need. For instance, the food and health care assistance presented by the elite of the northern region to the Governor of the North on Saturday had some money kept aside for eventual medication. The representative of the elite, Zacharie Perevet disclosed that FCFA one million had been handed over to the Governor for the purchase of medicine.

The local authorities have also been talking of the need to relocate some of the inhabitants found in flooded areas which are already being qualified as risk zones.