COVID-19: Malteser International's Emergency Medical Team in Cameroon

In the wake of a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in Cameroon, the national government requested international assistance. Following consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Malteser International deployed its Emergency Medical Team (EMT) to the West African country in June 2020 to assist local health facilities in curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Supporting local healthcare to fight COVID-19

In close cooperation with the Cameroonian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Emergency Medical Team - consisting of doctors, experts in infection prevention and control, and water, sanitation and hygiene - conducts assessments in health facilities located in country's capital Yaoundé and its largest city, Douala. The team also provides training for healthcare workers in infection prevention and control with a particular focus on COVID-19 management.

A look in to the work of our Emergency Medical Team in Cameroon

Cameroon: COVID-19 is compounding the humanitarian crisis

Along with South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, Cameroon is currently one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa most severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 17,000 cases (as of July 27, 2020). However, the country is facing other humanitarian crises. Cameroon is the second most-affected country by the Boko Haram violence in the Lake Chad Basin. The insurgency has been compounded by chronic vulnerability and the growing impact of climate change. Tensions in the western part of the country have frequently resulted in violence with humanitarian consequences. Meanwhile, the country is struggling with an influx of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR). For the second year running, Cameroon has topped the list of the most neglected crisis in the world.

Updates on the Emergency Medical Team mission to Cameroon

GET UP CLOSE WITH THE TEAM

Follow the Emergency Medical Team's long journey to Cameroon and first working days on camera. Jonathan Baum, deputy team leader tells us about the team's experiences at the start of the intervention and how they are working with the local healthcare system to contain the spread of COVID-19.

23.06.2020

COVID-19: Malteser International sends Emergency Medical Team to Cameroon

Cameroon is currently the COVID-19 epicenter in western and central Africa with one of the continent's highest infection rates. More than 300 people have been reported dead and over 10,000 have been infected with the novel coronavirus.

Malteser International is sending its Emergency Medical Team (EMT) to support COVID-19 response efforts in Cameroon after the country requested international assistance to control the rapid spread of COVID-19.