Covid-19 : Gains For Cameroon’s Health System

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Cameroon was received with fear, especially given that the country has a fragile health system. Many thought the country was ill prepared to address the devastating health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, the story is however different. With the unfolding of the epidemic since March, the long awaited tsunami has been waved off by the government, thanks to an effective monitoring mechanism and support from national and international partners. Today, the health system of the country is counting what one could say “unexpected” blessings in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the response plan against the Covid-19 pandemic, Cameroon’s health system has gained major investments in terms of medical equipment that have improved the technical platform of some health facilities in the country. 
The Sub-Director of Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Linda Esso says while struggling to eliminate Covid-19, the health system was able to obtain sustainable investments that went beyond consumable equipment for personnel protection, hygiene and sanitation management. While curbing Covid-19, the health system was able to acquire 250 oxygen concentrators, 105 resuscitation ventilators, 3,500 beds including 250 for intensive care units. Also, the standard of isolation rooms at the Yaounde Jamot Hospital, the Yaounde General Hospital, Djoungolo District Hospital in Yaounde, the Yaounde Central Hospital, the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, as well as all regional hospitals were  upgraded. Two border health posts were also created at the Yaounde and Douala airports. In addition, isolation units were built at the border health posts at the Nsimalen Airport and Garoua Boulai. 
As a result of Covid-19 pandemic, 15 medical laboratories have been upgraded and made functional in the country. The number of hospitalisation places in hospitals also increased by 3,104, that is, 300 places at the Yaounde Central hospital, 100 at Jamot Hospital, 191 expandables at the Orca Specialised Treatment Centre for the Covid-19 cases. Information further reveals that more than 3,000 hospital beds, 600 resuscitation beds, 500 concentrators and 250 respirators are in the ordering process with UN agencies. In addition, an oxygen production plant and eight laboratories are under const...