The first national forum on primary healthcare and the institutionalization of community healthcare

The 1st National Forum on Primary Health Care and the Institutionalisation of Community Health will be held in Yaoundé from 19 to 21 November 2024.  Organised by the Ministry of Public Health, the forum aims to rethink the mechanisms for improving health determinants and mobilising all sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum stands out for its inclusive, multi-sectoral approach, involving not only players from the health sector, but also representatives from many other ministries and local authorities. The aim is to make community health a shared responsibility, in which every citizen and every sector plays an active role.

The forum follows on from the declarations of Alma Ata (1978), Ouagadougou (2008) and Astana (2018), all of which stressed the importance of primary health care as a fundamental human right and the need for greater community participation. Cameroon, through its Health Sector Strategy 2020-2030, seeks to strengthen its health system to achieve universal health coverage, with a focus on community health.

The forum's specific objectives include assessing the progress made in PHC and community health since the Astana Declaration, formulating bold policies to prioritise these areas, and defining the role of local authorities and communities in mainstreaming PHC. The forum also aims to promote the role of community players and facilitate regional and national partnerships.  

At the 1st National Forum on Primary Health Care and the Institutionalisation of Community Health, several key themes will be addressed to improve public health in Cameroon. Here are some of the main topics discussed

Financing primary health care: Exploring sustainable mechanisms for financing basic health services.

Empowering community health workers: Strengthening the capacity and role of health workers at community level.

Fight against preventable diseases: Implement coordinated community actions to prevent diseases.

Role of traditional and religious leaders: Involve local leaders in changing health behaviour.

These themes aim to promote an inclusive and multi-sectoral approach, where each sector and each individual contributes to improving the determinants of health.

Participants include policy-makers, academics, community stakeholders, technical and financial partners, as well as representatives of the private sector and beneficiaries.

The forum will be structured in several phases, including plenary and parallel sessions, testimonies, and post-forum activities such as the publication of the general report and the follow-up of recommendations.  

The Yaoundé Declaration on Primary Health Care and Community Health will be a key moment to identify the obstacles to scaling up PHC and to promote inclusive and equitable community health.  

The ultimate goal is to mobilise additional funding and strengthen political commitment to PHC and community health in Cameroon.