Primary Health Care - Cameroon, Gura Sign Partnership

The Minister Delegate in the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Joseph Dion Ngute and the Minister of Economy and Cooperation of the Republic and Canton of Jura, the newest of the 26 Swiss cantons, Michel Probst, on July 14 penned an agreement allowing the former to assist Cameroon develop the health sector.

Located in the north western part of Switzerland with capital Delémond, the Canton of Jura intends to inject more money to the health sector that will be used in training more personnel. The Canton also intends to provide some health facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. Michel Probst explained that they also envisage, in collaboration with the Helvetic Republic, Switzerland to continue with their activities, this time around within a specific time limit of five years amounting to1million Swiss Franc (about FCFA 545 million). Same amount too from the Canton of Jura for the same programmes and another amount, from partners.

Joseph Dion Ngute praised relations between both countries that dates back to 30 years. He hinted that the ties are hinged on two areas; rural development and health; especially maternal and infant health. Joseph Dion Ngute said; "They are bringing in a great deal of assistance in terms or financial assistance, human resources to enable us to tackle the challenges which we are facing." Present to witness the signing of the agreement was the Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, Urs Berner and Cameroon's Public Health Minister, André Mama Fouda.

Earlier, Joseph Dion Ngute received Michel Probst in an audience to review ties between both countries. Diplomatic relations between Cameroon and Switzerland began in 1961 at the level of embassies. Etienne Thevoz was assigned Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon in 2007 after the closure of the embassy in 1996. Since then, cooperation between both countries has witnessed strides with exchange visits on the rise. Prominent amongst whom was the meeting between President Paul Biya and the President of the Helvetic Confederation, Doris Leuthard in 2010, the working visit of the President of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril on June 3, 2012 in Switzerland.