Cameroonian MPs have endorsed a 2025-2026 action plan to strengthen the national fight against malaria, urging increased domestic funding and multisector collaboration.
Members of Cameroon’s Parliamentary Caucus for Health Financing have adopted a new action plan to intensify the fight against malaria between 2025 and 2026. Validated on June 13 at the National Assembly, the plan was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), and civil society groups like Impact Santé Afrique. With malaria still causing over 2,000 deaths in 2024, particularly among children under five and pregnant women, MPs emphasised the urgency of increasing domestic funding as external support declines.
Hon Njume Peter Ambang, leading the caucus, called on the government to honour the Abuja Declaration’s commitment of allocating 15% of the national budget to health. He also highlighted the importance of mobilising private sector and civil society support to close funding gaps caused by reduced foreign aid. Fellow parliamentarian Hon Ngoko Marie Louise stressed the role of the caucus in raising awareness and influencing budget debates to ensure sufficient resource allocation.
Dr Albert Zeh, NMCP Permanent Secretary, presented data showing malaria remains a leading cause of hospital consultations. The ongoing National Strategic Plan (2024-2028) aims to cut malaria-related deaths by 75% from 2015 levels, reflecting the country’s intensified efforts.
