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Review
. 2024 Mar 27:47:143.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.143.38399. eCollection 2024.

Identifying opportunities for global surgery in Cameroon: an analysis of existing health policies and events

Berjo Dongmo Takoutsing  1   2 , Geneviève Endalle  1   2 , Wah Praise Senyuy  1   2 , Bilong Mbangtang Celestin  1   3 , Gaetan Konfo Kwasseu  2 , Pride Bobga Tanyi  2 , Desmond Tanko Jumbam  4 , Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye  1   4
Affiliations
Review

Identifying opportunities for global surgery in Cameroon: an analysis of existing health policies and events

Berjo Dongmo Takoutsing et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: the burden of diseases amenable to surgery, obstetrics, trauma, and anesthesia (SOTA) care is increasing globally but low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery proposed National Surgical, Obstetrics, and Anesthesia Plans as national policies to reduce the global SOTA burden. These plans are dependent on comprehensive stakeholder engagement and health policy analysis. Objective: in this study, we analyzed existing national health policies and events in Cameroon to identify opportunities for SOTA policies.

Methods: we searched the Cameroonian Ministry of Health´s health policy database to identify past and current policies. Next, the policies were retrieved and screened for mentions of SOTA-related interventions using relevant keywords in French and English, and analyzed using the 'eight-fold path´ framework for public policy analysis.

Results: we identified 136 policies and events and excluded 16 duplicates. The health policies and events included were implemented between 1967 and 2021. Fifty-nine policies and events (49.2%) mentioned SOTA care: governance (n=25), infrastructure (n=21), service delivery (n=11), workforce (n=11), information management (n=10), and funding (n=8). Most policies and events focused on maternal and neonatal health, followed by anesthesia, ophthalmologic surgery, and trauma. National, multinational civil society organizations and private stakeholders supported these policies and events, and the Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health was the largest funder.

Conclusion: most Cameroonian SOTA-related policies and events focus on maternal and neonatal care, and health financing is the health system component with the least policies and events. Future SOTA policies should build on existing strengths while improving neglected areas, thus attaining shared global and national goals by 2030.

Keywords: Cameroon; global health; global surgery; health policy; health system strengthening.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
the eight-fold path analytical framework for global surgery-focused policy analysis
Figure 2
Figure 2
search, screening, and eligibility flow chart for the health policies and events included in the analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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