CAMEROON

Cameroon, home to more than 28 million people, has a median age of 18—reflecting a young population. Yet, as the country develops, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have become an increasing concern, responsible for 38% of all deaths nationwide.

Since 2001, the Ministry of Public Health has taken steps to strengthen chronic disease management—establishing dedicated departments for Health Promotion and Disease Control, creating an NCD sub-directorate, and adopting the National Integrated Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Chronic NCDs (NIMSPC-CNCD). While implementation has been gradual, these measures signal growing recognition of the need for stronger national coordination and policy attention to NCDs.

The Cost of NCDs in Cameroon

The update of Cameroon's national health accounts in 2018–2019 was a critical step toward better resource tracking and the future rollout of a national health insurance scheme.

Health financing for NCDs: Progress in Cameroon

Cameroon’s health financing system is gradually evolving to address both infectious diseases and the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Historically, resources have been concentrated on communicable diseases, but there is increasing recognition of chronic illnesses and the potential of innovative financing mechanisms to support a more sustainable system.

The Government of Cameroon has shown a growing commitment to strengthening domestic health financing. Health-related levies, including a solidarity tax on airline tickets, contribute to national health initiatives.

Tobacco taxation offers additional potential for health financing. Current estimates indicate that the total tax on cigarettes is approximately 43% of the retail price—below the World Health Organization’s recommended level of 75%. Increasing this tax could both reduce tobacco consumption and generate revenue to support NCD prevention and care.

Cameroon has also applied Development Impact Bonds (DIBs), such as the Cataract Bond and the Kangaroo Mother Care DIB, which channel private investment into results-based health programs. While these initiatives primarily focus on cataract surgery and neonatal care, they illustrate the potential for leveraging private capital to fund measurable health outcomes.

Health insurance and pooling mechanisms in Cameroon remain at an early stage but are gradually expanding. Current arrangements include community-based and mutual health organizations, performance-based financing programs, voucher schemes, and private insurance. These initiatives provide important foundations for risk-sharing and predictable funding, particularly in maternal and child health. Most households continue to bear a substantial portion of health costs out-of-pocket. Expanding these schemes to cover NCD prevention and treatment remains a key opportunity for improving financial protection and continuity of care.

Emerging strategic purchasing approaches, including performance-based financing and contracting, are beginning to link funding to measurable results. Although formal benefit packages for NCDs are limited, there are indications that some public treatment centers offer subsidized services for conditions such as diabetes and cancer. Coverage remains uneven, and comprehensive data are limited. As Cameroon strengthens its national health accounts and advances toward a broader health insurance framework, expanding strategic purchasing to include NCD care could improve efficiency, equity, and long-term sustainability.

Country Core Group Members

Designated Country Core Groups bring together key country-level stakeholders responsible for policymaking, program design and implementation, evidence generation, and systems-level change.

Ferdinant M. Sonyuy, President/CEO, RADA; SG, Cameroon NCD Alliance
Prof. Jean Claude Mbanya, Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé
Dr. Yauba Saidu, Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative
Claris Chenwi, Fundraising Lead, RADA
Dr. Hassan Ben Bachire, Director of Health Promotion, Ministry of Public Health
Dr. Linda Eso, Director of Disease Control, Epidemics and Pandemics, Ministry of Public Health
Ngum Samuel, Director, Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services
Forzuh Fanny, Manager, Zenith Insurance