Over 100,000 Cameroonians to receive ear and hearing care services in Cameroon
The CBC Health Services and her partners are poised to provide ear and hearing care to at least 112,500 Cameroonians in the Center, Littoral and North West Regions of Cameroon.
This was disclosed during the official launching of a new project dubbed, “Strengthening Ear and Hearing Care Capacities in Cameroon” on December 5, 2024 at the CBC Health Services Resource Center Mvan in Yaounde. Dr. Zeh Kakanou Florence Technical Adviser Number 3 to the Minister of Health launched the project on behalf of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The Strengthening Ear and Hearing Care Capacities in Cameroon Project was designed against the backdrop that many Cameroonians suffer from preventable hearing loss due to factors such as insufficient trained Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) professionals, limited capacities, lack of equipment, lack of access to EHC consulting and treatment and lack of EHC National Plan. The CBC Health Services is implementing the project with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
Presenting the project overview, the Project Manager, Mr. Awa Jacques Chirac told stakeholders present that the project which runs from November 2024 to December 2028 is aimed at improving the quality of life of people with hearing impairments or ear diseases. He noted that the project will directly benefit 112,500 individuals with or at risk of hearing impairments in 26 health districts. Mr. Awa underscored the fact that to fill the existing gaps that lead to hearing loss, the project will train 22 EHC Clinical Officers, 14 Audiological Technicians, and 80 healthcare and equip 12 ENT clinics and 23 district hospitals for EHC services.
Apart from trainings, the project will also facilitate access to ear and hearing care services through procurement of medical equipment, awareness raising on existing services, and the development and adaptation of ear and hearing care sign language module for healthcare professionals.
Another expected result of the project is advocacy for the drafting of a national EHC plan and the revision and adaptation of sign language in the curricula for training of Ear, Nose and Throat clinical officers at the University of Yaoundé 1, an activity which was greatly applauded by Dr. Zeh and all attendees of the launching.
It should be noted that gender, equality, inclusion, diversity and safeguarding of children and adults at risk will be highly considered during implementation of the project’s activities.
Speaking before officially launching the project, Dr. Zeh said the importance of the project cannot be over emphasized as it will lead to the prevention of correctable disabilities like hearing impairments which will lead to improved health. While she appreciated the collaboration between the CBC Health Services and the Government in improving the health of Cameroonians, she thanked BMZ and CBM for making the project possible. She promised the Ministry’s full commitment and support for the project to realize its objectives and expectations.
The CBC Health Services Director, Mr. Ngum Samuel welcomed all the stakeholders present and remarked that the project is one of CBC Health Services’ flagship projects. He called on all stakeholders like the community and health care providers to promote the health of the communities they are called upon to serve especially those with ear and hearing problems.
For his part, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Supervisor of Projects, Prof. Tih Pius stated that he can’t thank CBM enough for its continuous funding of CBC Health Services’ services to people with disabilities. He saluted the media, other stakeholders and project staff for their hard work and dedication in the CBC Health Services’ partnership with CBM and called on them to pay keen attention to the project’s designs and expectations.
Also present at the launching was the CBM Country Director, Mr. Fon Julius who said the project is the first of its kind for CBM to support partners in Cameroon for a specialised multiyear program in the domain of ear and hearing care. The CBM Country Director encouraged the CBC Health Services and the project stakeholders to continue their dedicated efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
The launching was also characterized by a presentation on the current state of ear and hearing care in Cameroon by Clarisse Mapa, Chief of Service in charge of the fight of oral diseases, chronic hearing, and visual deficiencies at the Ministry of Health. She revealed that there exists only 100 Ear, Nose and Throats specialists in Cameroon with 80% of them concentrated in Yaoundé and Douala.
Other attendees at the launching included; Rev. Ngwani Joseph as representative of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Executive President, an official from the Ministry of Social Affairs, the CBC Health Services Deputy Directors of Administration and Finance and Clinical Services, Mr. Warri Denis and Dr. Manga Simon respectively, the CBC Health Services Personnel Manager, Mr. Ndosak George, some Administrators of CBC Health Services hospitals in the project coverage area, a representative of the Association of the Deaf in Cameroon and other leaders of organisations of Persons with Disabilities, and staff of the new project.
