French.china.org.cn | Updated on 24-03-2023
Cameroon “remains in a worrying situation in certain aspects” in relation to tuberculosis, Cameroonian Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie said on Thursday.
During a press briefing on the eve of World Tuberculosis Day, the Cameroonian minister indicated that the incidence of the disease, estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO), is currently the order of 164 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants with an average in absolute value of 45,000 new cases expected, the mortality around the sick being for its part 30 per 100,000 inhabitants.
In 2022, he said, the National Tuberculosis Control Program (PNLT) notified 25,286 cases, all forms combined, with 5.3% of cases in children.
In addition, tuberculosis-HIV/AIDS co-infection, down compared to 2021, is around 18%, with 98% of co-infected patients put on antiretrovirals (ARVs).
In terms of the challenges to be met, Mr. Malachie noted the under-notification of tuberculosis cases, all forms combined, stressing the need to strengthen the maintenance of laboratory diagnostic tools and the establishment of a good sample transport system. .
The Cameroonian Minister also mentioned the importance of a consequent mobilization of the funds allocated to the fight once morest tuberculosis.
