Cameroon is embarking on a transformative rush to revamp its emergency clinical services (EMS) draw, marking a essential milestone in public effectively being. The Ministry of Public Well being, with the unwavering support of the World Well being Organization (WHO) and the Korean International Cooperation Company (KOICA), has validated the 2024 evaluation file that sheds light on the essential bellow of emergency care across the nation.
Performed from September 1st to October thirtieth, 2024, and validated in April 2025, the overview utilized the WHO Emergency and Severe Care Machine Evaluation (ECCSA) tool, systematically analysing the core pillars essential for emergency care. These foundational areas integrated governance and financing, files and quality enchancment, onsite care and transport, clinic-basically based totally care and rehabilitation, and emergency preparedness.
The participatory come taken for the duration of the overview drew insights from over 170 diverse stakeholders from all ten regions of Cameroon, guaranteeing that local voices formed the findings and suggestions. Even the file’s translation into English was performed by a dedicated team of consultants to promote inclusivity and foster possession of the outcomes.
Identifying Systemic Weaknesses
No topic efforts to bellow emergency services, the ECCSA evaluation uncovered urgent gaps that want to be bridged. Key findings encompass a troubling the absence of both a strategic intention and a ethical framework for emergency care, lack of knowledgeable emergency technicians and ambulance drivers, with the fresh prehospital care protection estimated at a mere 25%. Furthermore, no longer up to one-quarter of hospitals meet overall functional emergency unit requirements, highlighting essential infrastructural deficits.
The absence of a national draw for standardized affected person files, fragmented emergency numbers missing ethical mandates, and restrictions on timely get entry to to emergency blood transfusion are alarming deficiencies that compromise affected person outcomes. Additionally, the file licensed the absence of a dedicated strategic framework for rehabilitation services, that are essential for holistic restoration following emergency incidents.
Strategic Priorities for Reform
In response to these alarming findings, the Ministry of Public Well being has embraced a whole roadmap consisting of 15 strategic priorities labeled underneath five thematic areas. Among these priorities is the growth of a national strategic intention geared toward optimizing the organization of emergency care services at some level of the country.
The establishment of a noteworthy ethical framework that encompasses team, prehospital, clinic, and rehabilitation care will possible be a pivotal step forward. Furthermore, the introduction of a dedicated fund for emergency response signifies a commitment to sustainable financing of those essential services.
Key initiatives will furthermore encompass the make of a files management files to facilitate the sequence and utilize of emergency care files, to boot to the originate of whole coaching programs for effectively being professionals on emergency response protocols. Emphasizing logistics and accessibility, there will possible be a renewed specialise in strengthening transport programs and improving the provision of ambulances.
The Ministry is dedicated to building the skill of emergency care professionals and guaranteeing a first price provide chain for emergency medicines and materials. By defining and imposing care requirements across all facility phases, the Ministry objectives to guarantee that every citizen receives timely and effective care after they want it most.
As Cameroon charts this fearless course toward reforming its emergency care draw, it is far vital for all stakeholders to have interaction collaboratively in this existence-saving endeavour. With effective implementation of set priorities, Cameroon can aspire towards a extra responsive and resilient emergency care draw, finally improving effectively being outcomes for its inhabitants.
