On April 12, 2023, Cameroon launched its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) health system reform, a transformative effort to provide equitable access to quality and affordable health care for all Cameroonians, particularly the most vulnerable populations—such as people living with HIV (PLHIV).
In the past, approximately 70% of health services were funded out-of-pocket by clients, which created significant barriers to access, particularly for marginalized communities. Recognizing these challenges, the Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) project, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development, collaborated closely with Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health to implement the UHC initiative.
As we commemorate World AIDS Day, the program’s first 18 months offer an opportunity to reflect on its impact, the changes in health care delivery, and the voices of those it serves.
Building trust in UHC
Despite the convenience of the system, convincing Cameroonians to enroll presented challenges. “There’s a deep-seated mistrust of free services; people often equate ‘free’ with low quality,” says Dr. Simon Noudji, Communications Lead for the National Technical Committee for UHC (NTU-UHC). “Effective communication was critical to overcoming this skepticism.”
“To make the enrollment process as accessible as possible, we developed a digital system…. Proof of registration is all people need to access benefits,” says Dr Noudji.
RISE has played a critical role in supporting Cameroon’s UHC efforts. Led by Jhpiego and implemented in Cameroon by Management Sciences for Health, RISE works closely with local stakeholders to raise awareness and educate communities, particularly youth groups, about the program’s benefits.
RISE’s communications activities highlighted the point that UHC services matched the quality of services clients previously paid for. In addition, the project strengthened the capacity for youth to advocate for their health priorities, including reproductive health.
To amplify its reach, the NTU-UHC team partnered with social media influencers and conducted phone campaigns to engage populations without internet access, ensuring that no one was left behind.
Expanding access to quality care
The rollout of the UHC program has also improved the quality of care in health facilities. Mr. Zéphirin Tsomo, a medical staff at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé, notes that UHC has helped improve treatment quality and health outcomes for PLHIV.
“For PLHIV, UHC provides reassurance that essential services are not only free but sustainable, keeping them healthy and on treatment” says Mr. Tsomo.
By December 1, 2024, more than 3.4 million people had enrolled in the UHC program and 481,147 PLHIV had received free access to a wide range of essential HIV services.
Reflecting on the future of the UHC, Dr. Mintop, the National Coordinator of the NTU-UHC, says, “The work is in progress to expand and optimize the scope of services to include diseases like type 1 diabetes and hepatitis and to intensify efforts to reach the most underserved populations,” he says. “Our goal is to ensure that no one is left behind on the road to better health care.” Read more