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Review
. 2022 Dec;28(13):S181-S190.
doi: 10.3201/eid2813.221193.

Building on Capacity Established through US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Health Programs to Respond to COVID-19, Cameroon

Emily Kainne Dokubo, Judith D Shang, Adama N'Dir, Clement B Ndongmo, Gordon Okpu, Yasmine Moussa Fadil, Laura Eno Takang, Carrine Angumua, Esther Lyonga, Magdalene Mayer, Tabiayuk Ayukotabe, Tse K Nkwoh, Judith Hedje, Georges A Etoundi, Richard L Njock; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cameroon Team1
Review

Building on Capacity Established through US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Health Programs to Respond to COVID-19, Cameroon

Emily Kainne Dokubo et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for resilient health systems with the capacity to effectively detect and respond to disease outbreaks and ensure continuity of health service delivery. The pandemic has disproportionately affected resource-limited settings with inadequate health capacity, resulting in disruptions in health service delivery and worsened outcomes for key health indicators. As part of the US government's goal of ensuring health security, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has used its scientific and technical expertise to build health capacity and address health threats globally. We describe how capacity developed through global health programs of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Cameroon was leveraged to respond to coronavirus disease and maintain health service delivery. The health system strengthening efforts in Cameroon can be applied in similar settings to ensure preparedness for future global public health threats and improve health outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cameroon; HIV; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; global health; outbreak response; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; tuberculosis; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cameroon Ministry of Health COVID-19 incident command structure and pillars supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source: Cameroon Ministry of Health/Public Health Emergency Operations Center. IMS, Information Management System; IPC, Integrated Phase Classification.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Cameroon Field Epidemiology Training Program trainees and graduates by region, Cameroon, July 2022. Source: Cameroon Ministry of Health/Cameroon Field Epidemiology Training Program.
Figure 3
Figure 3
COVID-19 vaccination coverage, by health district, Cameroon, July 2022. A) Number of vaccine doses administered; B) percentage of population that has received >1 vaccine dose. Source: Cameroon Ministry of Health/Expanded Programme on Immunization.
Figure 4
Figure 4
COVID-19 epidemic curve (A) and B) SARS-CoV-2 test positivity (B), Cameroon, through July 2022.Source: Cameroon Ministry of Health/Public Health Emergency Operations Center. RDT, rapid diagnostic test.
Figure 5
Figure 5
COVID-19 cases (A) and deaths (B), Cameroon, through July 2022.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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