Medical Council executive board elections billed for October.

The outgoing leadership, led by its President, Dr Rodolphe Fonkoua, and Vice President, Dr Peter Louis Ndifor Tanke, presented the Council’s activities and addressed major challenges confronting the profession.

Dr Fonkoua said preparations are underway for the Elective General Assembly scheduled for October this year. The outgoing leadership of the medical body equally used the press briefing to raise concerns over what it considers growing threats to health security in the country. 

They cited, among others, unauthorised medical practice, the proliferation of illegal clinics and questionable treatments promoted through social media and television.

Dr Fonkoua described the situation as a serious threat to the profession and public health, stressing the need for firm action. 

He also commented on the case of an influencer accused of practicing medicine without authorisation. According to him, a complaint was filed, resulting in questioning and police custody, while the institution joined the proceedings as a civil party.

“One cannot practice medicine in a bedroom. It is not witchcraft,” Dr Fonkoua lamented, stressing the need for medical practice to remain within the legal and professional framework.

Questioned if he will seek re-election, Dr Fonkoua remained non-committal, saying he would announce his decision “when the time comes”.

The Vice President, Dr Ndifor Tanke, said the body seeks to control practices that could endanger the health and safety of the population. Officials of the Order further announced tighter regulation of missions involving foreign doctors. 

They expressed concern over campaigns that allegedly make unrealistic promises to patients and encourage them to seek treatment abroad, sometimes at considerable financial cost and without the expected medical results.

Reviewing the outgoing board’s achievements, officials underlined the digitalisation of several services. It was noted that doctors can now register, pay professional dues and request administrative documents remotely and securely.

The Cameroon Medical Council also announced that during the latest session, more than 250 files were examined, alongside about 40 applications for the opening of private medical practices. 

It also said it has strengthened disciplinary measures against doctors who breach professional obligations, following complaints received from the public.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3911 of Wednesday September 16, 2026