World Health Day Campaign: Against Anaemia Launched

On the occasion of World Health Day, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE), in partnership with Nestlé Cameroon, on Thursday, April 9, launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness, preventing, and educating communities about anaemia, a major public health concern in Cameroon. The launching ceremony in Douala was presided by the Littoral Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr Ngo’o Mebe Saurel. According to the Director of Family Health in the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Ebongzo Zacheus, anaemia affects about six out of 10 children under the age of five and nearly four out of 10 women aged 15 to 49 in Cameroon. He mentioned that the condition is mainly linked to iron deficiency, although other factors, such as malaria and insufficient dietary diversity also contribute. “Anaemia can lead to chronic fatigue, contribute to growth delays in children, and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. It also has long-term impacts on the health and socio-economic development of families”, Dr Ebongzo Zacheus indicated. The campaign is part of the MINSANTE and Nestlé Cameroon partnership, which seeks to sustainably improve health and nutrition indicators, with a strong emphasis on preventing nutritional deficiencies. The initiative begins with a pilot phase in Douala, in the Bonassama Health District, selected as the starting point for the first field activities. During the launching ceremony, Dr Ngo’o Mebe Saurel said the programme will feature communitybased nutrition education sessions led by health professionals, along with simple, practical messages, highlighting the importance of ironrich foods. He added that there will also be screening for anaemia, particularly among groups considered most at risk namely children under five, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. Alongside the field activities, he went on, a digital campaign will be broadcast through the Ministry’s official platforms. The goal is to reach a larger audience and ...