The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 142 cases of cholera have been reported in recent months in the South-West region. Since the outbreak of this epidemic in Cameroon, the situation is still far from being under control in this western region, unlike in the rest of the country. In any case, OCHA reports that the epidemic continues to affect people in the South-West, for several reasons clearly identified by a mission sent out into the field.

"The findings of the mission revealed that access to the epicentre of the outbreak has physical and security challenges, access to water and hygiene and sanitation facilities is not adequate and the health district has limited human and material resources to respond adequately to the outbreak," the OCHA reports. 

The epidemic is concentrated in specific areas of the South-West region. According to OCHA, three health districts are particularly impacted. The first is Buea, the regional capital, where the initial case was reported. The second is the Tombel health district in the Koupé-Manengouba department, with 38 identified cases and five fatalities, and lastly, the Tiko health district.

In response to this outbreak, the Ministry of Public Health (Minsanté) is diligently addressing immediate needs, beginning with the provision of essential equipment, identified as a top priority.

Michel Ange Nga