Polio frontline: community health workers protecting East Cameroon
They walk through narrow streets and remote villages to ensure every child is protected. Health workers and volunteers — Cameroonians and refugees alike — they form a vital line of defence against polio in the East.
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In the fight to eradicate polio, the real line of defence lies closest to families. Throughout the towns and villages of eastern Cameroon, community health workers, young and old, Cameroonian and Central African, criss-cross the neighbourhoods from dawn to dusk to protect every child. Their discreet but essential commitment is a reminder that public health depends above all on trust and proximity.
A context of constant vigilance
In 2025, four type 2 poliovirus variants were recorded in Cameroon. Nevertheless, the country continues to pursue its efforts to prevent the resurgence of poliomyelitis, particularly in light of the risks associated with circulating variants and population movements.
Vaccination campaigns, therefore, remain a key pillar in protecting children and preventing outbreaks. In this context, local action is crucial. Reaching every household, informing, reassuring and vaccinating.
This is precisely where community health workers come in, acting as a vital link between the health system and families.
On the ground, in step with communities
From 7 to 15 February 2026, in several towns in the east, they walked through dusty alleys, crossed bustling neighbourhoods and travelled through villages, some of which were remote. At dawn, equipped with their records, chalk to mark homes, vaccines and their determination, they knocked on doors to ensure that no child was left behind.
Their role is not limited to accompanying vaccination. They explain, listen, respond to concerns and remind people of the importance of protecting the youngest members of society. Some know every family by name, others travel long distances to reach isolated households. All this is done with one goal in mind: to protect the health of their community.
I have been involved for four years. I am in good health, and I saw children in my community suffering from diseases that I knew could be prevented by vaccination. So I decided to protect our children through this," says a community health worker on the border with the Central African Republic in a determined tone.
Many faces, one shared commitment
What is striking is the diversity of these actors. Among them are energetic young volunteers, respected elders, and Central African refugees working alongside their Cameroonian neighbours. This diversity builds trust, as they speak the language of the communities, both literally and figuratively.
Their presence reminds us that public health is also a matter of solidarity and shared responsibility.
" Vaccination is very important. We must protect our young children so that they can grow up just like us.
"Our staff numbers are relatively low, and the neighbourhoods here in Garoua Boulai are very large. A small number of staff will always struggle to cover everything, especially on foot," explains a health worker in the town of Garoua Boulai. "Supervision is even more complicated. To catch up with two teams, for example, it takes me an average of five to six hours," he concludes.
Convincing those who are reluctant
However, while the mission is beneficial, it is not without its difficulties. In some households, mistrust of vaccination persists. Rumours, coupled with misinformation or past experiences, sometimes fuel refusal, exposing children and the entire community to avoidable risks.
Although they are trained to engage in dialogue with respect and patience, persuasion can sometimes remain a significant challenge. Each discussion then becomes an exercise in listening and teaching, where trust is built step by step.
Added to this is the question of resources. Despite their remarkable determination, there are still not enough of them to cover a vast area of more than 109,000 km². The lack of equipment and vehicles not only undermines the spontaneous trust of families but also the teams' ability to deploy.
Investing in those who protect
The experience of this campaign highlights an obvious fact. It is imperative to strengthen the capacities, staffing levels and tools of community health workers in the Eastern Region in order to consolidate the gains made against polio. Their proximity to the population makes them key players not only in vaccination, but also in promoting healthy behaviours.
Supporting these women and men means investing in the resilience of communities and in the future of children.
Beyond the figures and indicators, their work tells a story of quiet dedication. Under the sun or on difficult trails, they remind us that every child matters and that the fight against polio is won house by house, conversation by conversation.
Their dedication is a call to action. Recognise, support and value these health sentinels who, every day, bring communities a little closer to a polio-free future.
