Like in many other countries around the world today, MSF is supporting the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon, where its teams are increasing hospital capacity to manage and care for patients affected by the new virus, including infection control measures and setting up of isolation wards.

The epidemic is spreading while the country is already facing major humanitarian challenges. For several years now, Cameroon has been affected by the neighbouring conflict in North-Eastern Nigeria and continuous violence in the North West and South West Regions. These crises led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, caused humanitarian needs to soar and have drastically reduced access to healthcare in these regions, which have become particularly vulnerable. Continuing medical activities in these areas already marked by massive health needs is an absolute priority for MSF. But the spread of the Coronavirus means, of course, that we had to adapt our projects, and set up new interventions.

In Cameroon as in most other African countries, this support is particularly crucial as the medical capacity to care for COVID-19-infected patients will be very limited if the country is overwhelmed with cases with severe complications. According to the World Health Organization, fewer than 5,000 beds are available for use in intensive care units in 43 African countries during COVID-19. This is about five beds per one million people, compared to 4000 beds per one million people in Europe. Fewer than 2000 functional ventilators are available in public health services in 41 African countries.

MSF was asked early on by the health authorities to support the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now implementing dedicated activities in its regular areas of intervention (Far North, North West, South West) as well as in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. In addition to all these activities, potential support is also under assessment for hospitals in Douala, Cameroon´s commercial hub and the second-most affected city.