The HIV-burden in Cameroon is estimated at almost 12 percent of the 15-49 age population. Important HIV-related research is being conducted in Cameroon; almost every known strain of HIV, including the rare O clade HIV-1, can be found in the country (Source: CRISP database).

Malaria is endemic and is the leading cause sickness and mortality in Cameroon. It accounts for as many as half of all medical consultations, 30 percent of hospitalizations, and more than a quarter of work-days lost. Two-thirds of malaria cases in some locations are chloroquine resistant.

The WHO has estimated a tuberculosis death rate of 61 per 100,000 for the country in 2000. Nine of ten provinces are covered by Cameroon's National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP).

Sources: CIA World Factbook, UNAIDS, GFATM, United Nations Statistics Division

• prevention targeting youth and women
• involvement of employers and religious communities
• condom distribution
• prevention of STIs
• blood supply safety, and
• HIV surveillance.

Cameroon's strategic plan for fighting HIV/AIDS is expected to cost $189 million over five years; a financial gap of $110 million exists in meeting implementation costs. Cameroon is one of 13 nations taking part in the UNAIDS Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI), allowing it to purchase HIV/AIDS drugs from pharmaceutical companies at reduced prices.

Cameroon is implementing the DOTS program in its response to TB, and in 2000 WHO estimated that 75 percent of TB cases were treated under DOTS protocols. Due to a lack of funding patients receiving TB treatment have been expected to pay $7.50. A recently approved (Round 3) GFATM grant will allow for the free provision of TB treatment, and greatly increase the resources of the National TB Control Program (NTCP), which had operated without a telephone, fax, email, or vehicle.

Sources: UNAIDS, United Nations Statistics Division, GFATM

Demographic data contained in this section was obtained from the following sources: The Population Reference Bureau’s 2009 World Population Data Sheet was used for total population, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, fertility, birth rate, death rate, % of married women 15-49 using modern methods of contraception, % of population 15-49 with HIV/AIDS in 2007/2008, and the GNI PPP per capita (2008). Literacy rates were found in the Population Reference Bureau’s publication 2005 Women of Our World. HIV prevalence data for 2001 and 2003 was obtained from the UNAIDS Barcelona 2002 report; HIV prevalence and orphan data for 2005 was obtained from the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2006. Data on the % women who have discussed AIDS prevention with their husband or partner can be found in ORC Macro and USAID’s Women’s Lives and Experiences: Changes in the Past Ten Years (Research Findings from the Demographic and Health Surveys). Childhood malaria mortality data was accessed in 2003 from the United Nations Statistics Divisions’ Millennium Indicators. Tuberculosis data was obtained from the United Nations Statistics Division’s Millennium Indicators: MDGInfo 2006. In some cases information was unavailable.

• 1 university teaching hospital
• 3 central hospitals
• 10 private hospitals
• 136 district hospitals

In addition there are public medical centers, mission hospitals, and there are some private clinics and hospitals. Cameroon has 18 approved treatment centers with the capacity to provide HAART treatment for PLWHA. The Ministry of Public Health's annual budget for 1998/1999 was $6.35 million.

The WHO estimates that Cameroon had 7.4 physicians and 36.7 nurses per 100,000 population in 1996.

Sources: Ako et al, Reproductive Health in Cameroon, WHO

Ministry of Public Health

Organization de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endemies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC)

Source: AMVTN

University of Yaounde, Faculty of Medicine