A workshop on mother and child health in Cameroon opened in Yaounde on February 24, 2016.

Progress has been made in the last 10 years as far as maternal, newborn and child mortality is concerned, thanks to joint efforts by government and development partners. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Health reveal that the maternal, new born and child mortality rate in Cameroon reduced from 144 to 103 for every 1,000 births between 2004 and 2014. On the other hand, contraception methods rose from 12 per cent in 2004 to 21 per cent in 2014.

However, much still needs to be done because compared to other developing countries, Cameroon is still lagging behind. It is for this reason that a two-day prioritisation workshop on Cameroon’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Investment Case Global Financing Facility in Support of Every Woman, Every Child, opened in Yaounde on February 24, 2016.

Speaking at the opening, the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, said the maternal mortality rate continues to be on the rise in spite of efforts. He called on participants to work hands-in-glove to identify priority domains while taking into consideration the most vulnerable. Focus is also on strengthening the health information and registration systems, especially birth statistics.

André Mama Fouda called on participants to assist government to draft a priority action plan based on evidence in support of the Every Woman, Every Child initiative in order to help reduce maternal and child mortality by 2030. The objective of the workshop is for health experts, civil society organisations and partners to rethink health strategies in order to prevent avoidable maternal, newborn and child deaths in Cameroon. The event took place in the presence of cabinet ministers, representatives of international organisations, the diplomatic corps and other guests.