Stakeholders validate sectorial malaria control guide .

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP, with the technical support of Impact Sante Afrique, ISA.

Representatives from the World Health Organisation, civil society organisations, sectorial ministries amongst others attended the event. The gathering enabled them to discuss and validate specific interventions by each relevant sector.

The gathering was also marked by a training session for the various sectors to facilitate its adoption and ensure its use in the development of the various operational plans for the fight against malaria in Cameroon.

It was chaired by NMCP Permanent Secretary, Dr Albert Franck Zeh Meka. He used the opportunity to raise awareness and engage the stakeholders regarding the expectations set for the multi-sectoral project, which outlines the future vision of the structural framework for malaria elimination by 2030 in Cameroon.

According to the Senior Regional Technical Advisor at Impact Sante Afrique, Eric Tchinda, Cameroon had developed a multisectoral framework for the fight against malaria. 

Though the framework was intended to be a strategic document to engage sectors in this fight against Malaria, the ISA official said they decided to take it further by creating a simplified tool. 

“People in sectors other than health are not healthcare workers; they are not doctors or nurses. So, how can we engage these types of people so they can effectively play their role in the fight against malaria? We decided to develop this guide, which includes a simplified explanation of what malaria is, how it is transmitted, and what the symptoms of the disease are,” he stated. 

He also explained that the control guide included strategic guidelines for each sector, how each sector can contribute effectively to the fight against malaria and how sectors such as agriculture, public works and mining can be effective in the fight. 

Gov’t committed to malaria fight

For his part, the Head of Prevention Unit at NMCP, Dr Bomba Dominique assured that government via the Ministry of Public Health, has committed, through the 2024 Yaounde Declaration, to working toward the elimination of malaria in Cameroon. 

He insisted that the contribution from other sectors is essential to the fight against malaria.

“With their support and agreement, we are now in the process of developing a guide to enable them, within the framework of their respective sectoral activities, to carry out initiatives to combat malaria” he explained. 

Based on the research conducted and the evidence gathered, Dr Bomba said scientists have played a strategic role in having malaria control strategies. 

“They proposed control activities, and these activities were adapted to the specific needs of the various sectors. Malaria is not just a disease that concerns only health. Mosquitoes are found in the environment, they are found just about everywhere and so, everyone has a role to play,” he added. 

The Head of Mobilization and Partnership Section at NMCP, Ngambe Oumarou, told reporters that the impact of all malaria control efforts must generate visibility and behavioral change. 

As such, he said the sectoral intervention guide must promote a number of interventions tailored to the behavioral improvement needs of various types of stakeholders. 

“We are outlining sector-specific behaviors conducive to malaria elimination…For example, the Ministry of Communication may feel more comfortable knowing that we don’t need to mandate public service announcements to promote the visibility of interventions. We don’t expect the Ministry of Health to come and promote the development of cleanup activities in the cities. That is not its role,” he declared. 

Ngambe further mentioned that: “We won’t expect the Ministry of Public Health to go down to the community level to carry out counseling and public sensitisation activities, when traditional leaders, community leaders, and socially responsible businesses are already established in these communities and have the additional mission of promoting behaviors that empower consumers”. 

This article was first published The Guardian Post Edition No:3756 of Friday April 10, 2026