The Hellen Keller International Non Governmental Organization (HKI) has donated a consignment of close to 24.000 face masks to community agents involved in the fight against neglected tropical diseases in Cameroon.
The consignments were received Wednesday July 14, 2021 in Yaoundé by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie. It was during a ceremony that took place at the ministry.
While receiving the gifts on behalf of the community distributors, the minister lauded the initiative from Hellen Keller International, indicating that it falls withing the frameworks of solidarity from citizen enterprises and organisations.
Dr. Manaouda Malachie promised to dispatch the face masks to the various target regions with immediate effect.
Six regions of the ten in Cameroon were selected for the exercise.
“It is our wish to cover the entire country but due to financial constrains and the need to touch more vulnerable regions, we decided to donate to six regions including the restive North West and South West regions of the country.” Says Hendzi Michel, Deputy National Coordinator of Hellen Keller International Cameroon, while talking to the press.
The North West region will receive 6.500 – masks, the South West – 4.500, Centre – 6.000, East – 1.000, Far North – 3.400, and the North Region recieved 2543 face masks.
The masks according to HKI are reusable with three layers which provides maximum protection.
Besides the community distributors, the masks would equally be given to health personal in some health facilities as well as to patients suffering with either of the major neglected tropical diseases.
“The Ministry of Public Health would do all that the masks reach their target destinations and serve the purpose it was designed for. By handing some to health personnel across the country, it will go a long way to boost the present vaccination team against Covid-19.” The Public Health Boss disclosed.
To the Minister, Cameroon is on good a footing in containing the Coronavirus pandemic thanks to the decisions and measures taken by the Head of State Paul Biya.
“Some countries are getting into the fourth phase of the pandemic which is even more virulent, but Cameroon is gradually eliminating the virus just at the second phase. All we need to do now is to avoid a third phase and that is why the gesture from Hellen Keller International is very important and timely and helps encourage collective immunity.” The minister said.
The donation is should be noted was effective through the Task Force Global Health of “Mectizan Donation Program.”
The USAIDS Program in Cameroon is also devoted to kicking out Neglected Tropical Diseases from the country.
Reports indicate that two of such diseases (Trachoma, Lymphatic Filariases), are on the verge of elimination in the country.
Hellen Keller International is a historic actor in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in general, and the control of Onchocerciasis in particular.
The NGO provides technical and financial support to the Ministry of Public Health thanks to support from USAID through FH360. These funds are mobilized through the program, Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)/West (Act/West).
