COVID-19 : Cameroon gets new screening protocol

Cameroon has began a new screening protocol for COVID-19, following delays in delivery of  COVID-19 tests, and fake results in some cities in Cameroon.

Public Health Minister, Dr. Manaouda Malachie says the new protocol has been set up to ensure that results are delivered within 24 hours, after sample collection.

Dr. Manaouda Malachie, Public Health Minister

The new protocol replaces the previous one which has been in use for close to a year, since the country recorded the first COVID-19 cases.

A working session to adopt the protocol and plan how to improve the management of the pandemic, as cases continue to surge took place at the Cameroon Health Emergency Operations Centre in Yaounde, on February 22, 2021.

Among participants were the Secretary of State in the Public Health Ministry, WHO Resident Representative, the Regional Delegate of Public Health for the Centre Region, Administrator of the National Public Health Laboratory, Representatives of the National Scientific Council and the  Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and the Director of General of the National Center for the procurement and supply of essential medicines (CENAME).

The New Protocol

The new screening protocol is a complete process that runs from sample collection to results delivery.

COVID-19 results were previously delivered to people by text message . Some people who did not receive their results via their mobile phones had to spend hours at screening centers waiting to collect their results.

This time around, people will no longer have to spend hours waiting to collect their results,  especially for those traveling out of the country. Dr. Manaouda Malachie explained in an interview granted to CANAL 2.

“By the time people get to the airport, we would have sent a list of all those who have been screened. A smart phone will read the bar codes, and be able to tell where your sample was collected, where the test was carried out, and your result”.

He also says the new protocol has been designed to prevent the delivery of fake results and delays.

“We have also set up a system that speeds of delivery of results so travelers don’t get delays by this new procedure”.

Given the need for human resources, more health personnel will be dispatched to laboratories across the country to ease the screening exercise.

Epidemiological situation

Since the African Championship took place in Cameroon in January, more positive cases have been reported by public health officials. Death and bed occupancy rates have also spiraled.

As of February 18, 2021 , Cameroon counts 33,749 positive cases, 2200 active cases alongside 523 deaths. According to the Public Health Ministry, between 800-1000 people test positive weekly in Cameroon. A total of 31,362 persons have recovered from the disease. The bed occupancy rate which had gone down to 0% is currently 5% , with 158 persons in hospitals, 38 of them on oxygen.

Dr. Manaouda says it is time for Cameroonians to go back to the fundamental health  practices to prevent further spread of the disease. As authorities seek ways of improving management of the disease, improving screening which has once again become overwhelming for health personnel is of utmost importance.

Kathy Neba Sina 

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