COVID-19: Health districts fighting the disease around the peripheries
Health districts in Cameroon are the Public Health structures flattening the curve of the deadly Coronavirus around the country’s peripheries.
Cameroon counts 189 health districts, spread across the countries 10 regions, headed by a medical doctor or a public health administrator.
As the figures of confirmed cases in Cameroon surge, the Public Health Minister, Dr. Manaouda Malachie says health districts must step up efforts to defeat this common enemy.
What is a health district ?
According to Dr. Mama Lucien , Head of the Cite Verte health district, “A Health district is the operational level of all health activities programmed by the Ministry of Public Health, planned by Regional Delegations and elaborated at the level of the district”.
A health district carries out field operations as well as health activities in communities and villages.
This health unit comprises district health services, medical centres and district health centres, further divided into health zones.
Health districts are ranked at the lowest level of the country’s health pyramid.
Cameroon’s health pyramid
The health pyramid in Cameroon comprises three levels .
#Central Level
Public Health services and services of the Ministry of Public Health
#Intermediary Level
Services of the Regional Delegation of Public Health and Regional Hospitals
#Peripheral Level
District Health Services, Medical Centres, District Health Centre..
Health districts flattening the curve
Health Districts have been at the heart of field operations for over three months of the country’s fight against the deadly pandemic.
Dr. Mama Lucien, head the Cité Verte Health District, outlines his district’s involvement .
” We have continuously educated all the zones of our district, explaining safety measures to the populations. We also carry out epidemiological surveillance, screen patients, and have them placed at the Special COVID-19 treatment Centres in collaboration with regional hospitals. Once a positive case is reported, we begin to trace their contacts “.
The recent decentralization of the response strategy, has brought the pivotal role played by Health Districts to the limelight .
Kathy Neba Sina