Download logoFor many women in Cameroon,childbirth remains a significant health risk.Despite medical advancements, the countrycontinues to haveone of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region.In 2020, an estimated 438 women per 100,000 live births died from pregnancy-related complications,according to theWorld Banks Gender Data Portal.While maternal mortality declined slightly to 406 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, progress has been slow, and maternal health challenges persist.Limited access toquality reproductive healthcare, high adolescent pregnancy rateswhere 108 out of every 1,000 girls aged 15-19 give birthand persistent nutrition gapscontinue toput the health of mothers and newborns at risk.Withouturgent and sustained interventions, preventable deaths will continue, placing an even greater strain on families and communities.To address these challenges, Cameroon is set to launch itsfive-year National Strategy on Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent, and Nutrition Health (RMNCAH-Nut) on March 13, 2025.Developed with support fromAfrica CDC and its partners,this strategyrunning from 2025 to 2030aligns with global health priorities, particularlySustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on health and well-being.The plan focuses on strengthening maternal healthcare services, improving data collection, enhancing policy implementation, and fostering better coordination among stakeholders.Before its official launch,Africa CDC played a key role in supporting a technical validation workshop to refine the strategy.The workshopbrought together 33 experts, including representatives from Cameroons Ministry of Health and key partners,to ensure that the document was scientifically sound,locally relevant,andactionable at the national level.Part of Africa CDCs mandate is to support countries in developing strategic health plans that align with continental priorities. Cameroon is among the first to finalize its strategy, and this will serve as a model for other African nations. We are now preparing for the official launch and mobilizing resources for effective implementation,explainedFidel Gabo, Head of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Division at Africa CDC.Cameroons national strategy builds onbroader continental effortsto supportAfrican Union Member Statesin strengthening reproductive health policies.Recognizing that women and children are disproportionately affected during health emergencies,theAfrican Union validated a five-year continental reproductive health strategy (2022-2026)with the participation of42 AU Member States.This frameworkfocuses on critical areas, including adolescent sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, family planning, prevention and management of reproductive system cancers, gender-based violence reduction, and safe abortion care.To ensureeffective implementation at the national level,acontinental priority assessment identified key gapsin reproductive health financing, policy frameworks, and healthcare workforce capacity. As part of afollow-up assessment, Cameroon and Lesothowere among the first countries selected fortechnical and financial supportto developnational strategies aligned with the broader continental framework.To facilitatenationwide adoption,the strategyhas been translated into Englishto reach a wider audience, includingpolicymakers, healthcare workers, civil society organizations, and local communities.A total of1,500 high-quality printed copieswill be distributed acrossnational, regional, and district levelsto ensure accessibility for all stakeholders. TheMarch 13 launch marks the beginning of a larger efforttomobilize resources for effective implementation across the country.Africa CDC will continueto collaborate with Cameroons Ministry of Healthtoensure sustainable integration of reproductive health services into the national primary healthcare system.By prioritizing maternal and child health,this strategy has the potential to save thousands of lives and build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for future generations.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
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