Sexual, Reproductive Health: Cameroon, UNFPA Deal Eases Access To Commodities

The Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda and Dr Justin Koffi, the Cameroon Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, on Wednesday December 21, 2022 in Yaounde, Cameroon, signed a Contract of Commitment or partnership deal. To finance, supply and distribute reproductive health commodities in the country. And to also improve, accelerate and scale up activities already started by both parties in recent years.

Easier Access To Commodities
According to Dr Koffi, the agreement will enable people to more easily obtain quality reproductive health commodities. He said UNFPA has in recent years spent more than 8 billion FCFA on the acquisition and distribution of reproductive health commodities in Cameroon. He said the Contract of Commitment will also ease access to reproductive health tools for people displaced by the war in English-speaking Cameroon. 

Maternal Mortality Progress
Minister Manaouda clarified that there has been progress in curbing maternal mortality since the publication of the 2018 DHS report that put maternal mortality ratio at 406 deaths out of 100,000 live births. He explained that the actual figure today stands at less than 300 deaths per 100,000 live births. Though he admitted that much still remained to be done. 

Family Planning As Key
Dr Marquise Kouo Ngamby, the Reproductive Health Programme Specialist with UNFPA Cameroon, recalled that the unmet family planning needs of Cameroon stand at about 23 per cent. According to the 2018 DHS report. Stressing that family planning is one of the important pillars of reducing maternal mortality.   
    
Two-prolong Approach  
Through the deal, both sides committed to finance and secure the supply of commodities, reinforce communication and strengthen stakeholders’ capacities. As part of...