Drug use is becoming a public health problem in Cameroon and particularly amongst young people. To this end, on 26^th, 27^th, and 28^th of April 2024, a multidisciplinary team led by WHO visited 5 neighbourhoods in the city of Buea to assess the problem of drug use among young people. A total of 40 drug consumers were evaluated and 09 community leaders were interviewed via two focus groups. The analysis of the data collected will allow for optimal implementation and concerted interventions.

In the light, moving into the streets of Yaoundé saw the admission of 54 new people living with mental health disorders (PLWMHD) to the Village of Love on April 12, 2024. On April 15, 2024, the committee met with the Mayor of Buea to take stock of the activity and the strong recommendation resulting from the work will erect this activity into a program for better implementation throughout the national territory.

The mental health focal points in the Centre Region work to raise awareness both in the field and during the coordination meetings of Health Areas: Nlongkak (April 12, 2024), Mbalmayo (April 16, 2024) and Etoa Meki (April 30, 2024). The themes addressed were mental health, mental illness, tobacco and drug consumption, the days of celebration of which will be May 31 and June 26.

However, the online census of mental health staff continues via the link : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjb_R9c54RjuMJ1IvqXYAY_kMPVEjLmaAPn3Um4BrETYzi6w/viewform?usp=sf_link

The team of experts with the CMPJ Buea advisor.

Family picture of the team with the Paramount chief, the Southwest Regional Delegation for Public Health, and the WHO representative.

Focus group discussion with the community leader from different neighbourhoods.

BY INNOCENTE XAVÉRIE MANTSANA NYEBE, PFDSDSM

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the staff of the Sub-Department of Prevention and Community Action (SDPCA), held a review session of the on Risks and Community Engagement Communication Plan integrating public health emergencies in the executive office. As Cameroon is a country plagued by epidemics, it is wise to provide the Ministry of Public Health with a plan that meets international standards. To do this, the small dishes have been put in the big ones. Epidemiologists, communicators, sociologists, and anthropologists brought their expertise to ensure that no aspect is not neglected.  At the end of this session, the draft was made available and is now waiting for technical and political validation.

Doctors bring their expertise in epidemiology for a plan that meets international standards, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

: Aspects relating to sociology and anthropology examined during the proofreading of the RCCE Multi-Risk Plan for effective population behaviour change.

Andrée Gaelle ISSOLA, Epse OYE, Focal Point, SDPCA

Raising women’s awareness was the order of the day at the IWD celebrations on March 8, 2024. Key awareness-raising messages focused on promoting non-violent family communication and preventing the use of tobacco, chicha, alcohol and other drugs, with some 4,000 leaflets distributed during the parade. In addition, mental health promotion activities continue at the operational level, with sixteen health facilities, eight technical and financial partners and non-governmental organizations in the Djoungolo (date), Ayos (date), Eseka (date), Mbalmayo (date) and Obala (date) health districts. During the meeting held on March 15, 2024, with the managers of the Centre de Soins d’Accompagnement et Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPA), we took stock of the activities carried out there, and enquired about data feedback for better visibility.

However, the online census of mental health staff continues via the link : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjb_R9c54RjuMJ1IvqXYAY_kMPVEjLmaAPn3Um4BrETYzi6w/viewform?usp=sf_link

DHP staff raising women’s awareness at the March 8 parade site.

DHP staff handing out leaflets to women at the March 8 parade site.

women of valor

BY INNOCENTE XAVÉRIE MANTSANA NYEBE, PFDSDSM

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Deputy Director in charge of Prevention and Community Action, received in his office within the Department of Health Promotion, a team of content creators for the awareness of Internet users on the benefits of vitamin A supplementation and deworming, interventions of the Week of Action for Child and Maternal Health and Nutrition. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that the dissemination of web content should begin on the 6^th to the 10^th of May 2024, the scheduled date for the distribution of inputs to the target children. Apart from the posts made for SASNIM media communication, the content creators produced capsules distributed on several platforms.

A link for a video on vitamin A supplementation: https://www.facebook.com/share/ksrUFkRg79ErecWW/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Family picture at the end of the working session with content creators, Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Andrée Gaelle ISSOLA, Epse OYE, PFSDPAC

Andrée Gaelle ISSOLA, Epse OYE, PFSDPAC

January 31 to February 1, 2024. Workshop to evaluate and validate the results of the MCHNAW 2 of December 2023 held in MBANKOMO at the UNITED hotel, in the presence of the DFH, SDFN, the nutrition program coordinator of HELEN KELLER INTL, statisticians from the EPI, CIS, PNLSHI, NMCP, CBCPS, nutrition data focal point DHP, center, littoral, PTF HELEN KELLER INTL, UNICEF;

IPC AMN TRAINING

From January 17 to 20, 2024 – IPC AMN training at Dajoll Hôtel, financed by UNICEF and attended by several sectors and FPs.

WORKSHOP ON SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF ACUTE MALNUTRITION

Workshop on situational analysis of acute malnutrition based on ENSAN 2023, SMART 2019, SMART-SENS 2021 and 2022 data using the IPC acute malnutrition methodology (IPC AMN) at Dajoll Hôtel, Mbankomo from January 22 to 26, 2024; attended by the Sub-Director of Food and Nutrition, staff from the Department of Health Promotion

Group picture of the MCHNAW December 2023 results validation workshop, in Mbankomo, January 31st – February 1st 2024.

Working session of the MCHNAW December 2023 results validation workshop, Mbankomo, January 31-February 1, 2024

Group photo taken at the Integrated Phase Classification of Acute Malnutrition (IPC MNA) training course in Mbankomo from January 17 to 20, 2024.

Group photo of the workshop on situational analysis of acute malnutrition, Mbankomo, February 22-26, 2024.

The month of February 2024 was filled with activities at the Sub-department of Mental Health. Indeed, following the awareness campaign on the consumption of shisha, alcohol, and other drugs via our toll-free mobile telephone number – 1510, in less than a month, we recorded about 2396 phone calls from the public, calling for help for withdrawal. This led to a capacity building session of 18 tele-operators on February 05, 2024, at the CCOUSP. The aim was to remind these actors of key messages to guide users and equally on the course of action to be taken.

Regarding Valentine’s Day celebrations on 14 February, love was shown at the PAMME of the Love Village, through an ecumenical service rich in colour and emotion.

Mental health activities continued at the operational level with the sensitization of nearly 200 actors from the health districts of Djoungolo and Mbalmayo on 15 February 2024, those of the Odza District on 19 February 2024, and in Obala on 20 February 2024 on the issue of mental health and psychosis during their coordination meetings.

Nevertheless, the online census of the mental health workforce continues via the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjb_R9c54RjuMJ1IvqXYAY_kMPVEjLmaAPn3Um4BrETYzi6w/viewform?usp=sf_link.

Valentine’s Day cake at the Love Village during the ecumenical celebration on February 14, 2024.

College of the clergy during the ecumenical service at the Love Village on February 14, 2024.

Family picture of the actors of the Mbalmayo Health District sensitized on mental health issues on February 15, 2024.

Family picture with the Djoungolo Health District team sensitized on mental health issues on February 15, 2024.

Family picture with Obala Health District stakeholders, sensitized on mental health issues on February 20, 2024.

BY INNOCENTE XAVÉRIE MANTSANA NYEBE, PFDSDSM

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the first session of the National Task Force for the Coordination of Activities on Communication and Social Mobilization was held at the Public Health Emergency Operations Coordination Centre, chaired by the Director of Health Promotion. It was attended by officials from the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Health Promotion, Health Programmes), the Heads of the Communication Units of related sectors, the civil society, Technical and Financial Partners. The agenda of the day was the evaluation of the activities carried out in 2023 by Health Programmes and Projects, including civil society.

The Director of Health Promotion, Chairperson of the session, delivering the welcome address during the meeting on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the CCOUSP.

The Head of Communication of the Onchocerciasis Programme presenting activities carried out in 2023, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the CCOUSP

A view of participants at the Wednesday, January 31, 2024, meeting at the CCOUSP

ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK FROM AUGUST 1 TO 7, 2023 UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY DR. MANAOUDA MALACHIE

Inspection of the SOACAM company in the East Region in the presence of RDPH-E personnel, the DHP inspection team and the company’s managers for the East Region.

DHP team and a RDPH-N staff having a work session in a supermarket near the stadium.

Working session with DHP inspectors, a representative of RDPH-N, and supermarket managers after visiting all the shelves to find all the food products without CA.

Working session with DHP inspectors, a representative of RDPH-N, and supermarket managers after visiting all the shelves to find all the food products without CA

Inspection of a pepper powder production site of the SCOOP-PROTRANS company, Bertoua