Medical Misconducts: Public Health Minister Clarifies

The Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie was at the National Assembly on June 19, 2026 and provided responses to three Members of Parliament (MPs) who questioned him on some aspects relating to human health. The plenary sitting was chaired by House Speaker, Theodore Datouo in the presence of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with Assemblies, François Bolvine Wakata. The first question was that of Hon Ngalle Daniel who expressed worry on the fact that some haemodialysis patients are asked to pay sums ranging between FCFA 100,000 to FCFA 250,000 prior to treatment without the issuance of a receipt. “At a time when the government is carrying out a merciless fight against corruption, can you explain to the people’s representatives, what justifies this practice by the ministerial department you head?” Hon. Ngalle Danil questioned. Answering the question, the Minister said nothing justifies such deviations which he said are punishable not only administratively but also legally. While stating measures put in place by government at improving access to quality health for all Cameroonians, the Minister said the yearly dialysis cost has been subsidized, with patients now paying FCFA 15,000. Manaouda Malachie stated that any sum collected in a public health facility must be provided for by the applicable regulations, be recorded in the official accounting documents and result in the issuance of a proper receipt. With regards to the amounts highlighted by the legislator in his question, the Minister said it was no way a deposit or a scam targeting patients. “These sums correspond to the placement of an arteriovenous fistula, a necessary preliminary surgical procedure performed when the patient reaches stage four of kidney failure. There, it is a treatment required even before starting dialysis,&rdquo...