The race to combat COVID19 seems to get tighter and tougher every day in Cameroon. Almost all government officials have now become advocate for COVID19 safety measures. Despite the increase in calls to respect these measures, cases have been piling up. Major stakeholders in all regions have launched massive campaigns in some major cities, schools and markets. Minister Paul Atanga Nji while addressing the press at the Yaounde Central market “ The coronavirus is very serious and the government under the esteemed instructions of President Paul Biya said we should go down on the field and start the sensitization campaign because there is a lot of carelessness and people are thinking that the virus is over”. Face masks were distributed amongst the traders by the ministers present.
In the midst of all the calls made, as an added effort to combat COVID19, the Minister of Public Health Dr Malouda Malachi had as intensions to import the new COVID19 vaccine Astrazeneca. However, there have been complains from European countries on the effects of the vaccine as some claim that it causes blood clotting therefore not good for the human body. In the midst of this divide on the authensity of Astrazeneca, the minister in a tweet said that, Cameroon is seeking advice from medical experts and will not put lives of citizens in danger “ As the side effects of the Astrazeneca vaccine continue to be debated, I would like to make it clear that I have submitted the matter to the scientific council and NITAG for advice”. The skeptical and out rightly spoken has made Cameroon the lone African nation to express fear of the vaccine.
“Since co-morbidities and existing conditions area are a factor in the complication of Covid-19, I would advise that you have your health checked, even minimally. I encourage hospital to hold open door days for this. I have just had my medical check-up in this regard” he continued. The minster of secondary education had earlier announced the compulsory taking of Covid-19 test in all schools across the national territory. In conformity with this, the University of Buea has also begun free Covid-19 testing in preparation for the second semester.
Cameroon just like many other African countries had the chance to produce their own locally made treatment ( Kleda-vid ) has been able to treat many Cameroonians is equally demanded by some other countries. The treatment was founded by Bishop Samuel Kleda.
According to CRTV web, Dr Malouda Malachi said; “From June 2020 to February 2021, 74 deaths were recorded at Orca. Of 215 patients admitted from 22-28 February, 25 deaths were recorded. We count a total 44 deaths at Orca in the month of February alone”. The World Health Organization reports that, as from January 3rd 2020 to March 21st there have been 38,988 confirmed cases with 588 deaths.
